Tracy Gray seeking a second term as MP for Kelowna-Lake Country

Tracy Gray says it's been an honour to serve Kelowna-Lake Country constituents the past two years, and would be equally honoured to serve for the next four.

Gray, the Conservative incumbent in the riding, is seeking a second term in office.

"I am very committed and dedicated to this community and look forward to seeing you at the door, hearing what's important to you, and standing up for you in Ottawa," Gray said during a one-on-one interview with Castanet News.

"It's important we have a local representative that's in tune with the community and will stand up for the well being of constituents in Ottawa."

Gray has stressed throughout the campaign the importance of "local" representation, claiming her Liberal challenger Tim Krupa has been parachuted into the riding by the Liberal hierarchy.

At the same time, claims Gray is less than committed to the vaccine rollout were eventually put to rest when she revealed during a scripted campaign ad that she was indeed vaccinated before the election was called.

That admission was made the day after she spoke with Castanet.

Gray says she is running for a second term to stop what she called six years of Trudeau policies.

"What it has led us to is unmanageable debt, increases in inflation, ethics scandals, higher cost of housing and affordability.

"Small business owners and farmers have been hit really hard, so I am here to continue to stand up for the community."

Throughout the campaign, Gray says she has continued to reach out to the community for input, something she says she has continued from her two years in office.

The number one issue, she says, is from people unhappy the election was called in the first place.

She says the election, estimated by Elections Canada to cost more than $600 million, was called while ash was falling over the region and people were displaced from, or lost their homes.

"It really shows how out of touch the Liberals are with our area."

Gray says affordability is also a concern across the riding.

"The cost of everything is going up. Inflation is causing increased costs for gas, food...in everything," says Gray.

"That's affecting everyone, whether they're a young family or a senior that's on fixed income.

"For me, it's important to engage and get feedback so I can go back to my caucus and bring suggestions forth which may lead to questions in Question Period, or some other way we can bring things forth.

"For me, it's about being a voice for the community and being able to bring forth their issues and concerns."

You can watch the full interview below