Word is spreading that the Okanagan will receive a visit from Prime Minister Stephen Harper next week.
But, Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Dan Albas isn’t ready to confirm Harper is attending the B.C. Conservative caucus meeting he is hosting in conjunction with Kelowna Lake Country MP Ron Cannan next Friday.
“There is certainly going to be a meeting of the minds on Sept. 13,” said Albas. “There is always an open invitation to the leader of our caucus, that if he wants to attend, he certainly can.”
But according to a party insider, Harper is attending a Conservative party member barbecue taking place at Quail’s Gate on Sept. 13.
Previously, Harper went to the Lower Mainland for an annual function sponsored by Senator Gerry St. Germain.
“Since the retirement of Senator St. Germain last year, that is not happening anymore,” said Albas. “The Prime Minister has been invited to come, so I certainly hope he can be there. I would love to show him some of this riding.”
Besides Albas’s meeting of the B.C. federal Conservative caucus, Premier Christy Clark is also expected to be in her home riding of Westside-Kelowna to meet with members of the local business community, prompting speculation that Harper may also be planning to meet with her.
Albas is focusing on his caucus meeting.
“This is an initiative that I have been pursuing for a while. There is an number of people that are travelling right across the country: ministers and staff as well as the members from throughout B.C. and perhaps the Yukon,” he said.
“Having them in our riding is a big honour and we are certainly going to show them a little about our riding.”