Mel Arnold MP 2025 Year End Review

Dec 31, 2025: Salmon Arm Observer

2025 was eventful and interesting as MP and likely so for voters and residents alike. All
beginning with prorogation of Parliament on January 6th, set to end on March 24th
, until the new Liberal leader launched an election. With the election, the new federal electoral
boundaries took effect, meaning North Okanagan- Shuswap no longer exists and the new
riding of Kamloops-Shuswap- Central Rockies (KSCR) was where I chose to let my name
stand.
During the election, and after, residents expressed concerns and issues of a riding
stretching along 450 kilometres of highway, with diverse populations, economies and
challenges. I am truly honoured to have been chosen as the federal representative for such
a spectacular part of Canada.
I am also honoured to serve again as Official Opposition Associate Shadow Minister for
Fisheries. While the priorities of residents of KSCR are paramount, the health of our lakes,
rivers, ecosystems and economies they support is where some of my parliamentary duties
lay. As threats of invasive species, pollution, droughts and floods impact our waters, my
parliamentary role is to hold the current government accountable for their actions and
inaction on this file.
Post election I was required to close the Vernon constituency office to relocate into the
new riding. Competent staff and cooperative contractors enabled us to provide service
continuously through a move into the new Salmon Arm office with only one day of service
interruption. We continue to work toward a second office in Kamloops and satellite office
availability in Revelstoke and Golden.
2025 was further marked with events, some a result of Canadian origin and some a
consequence of decisions beyond our border. Possibly the most significant was the
presidential inauguration to our south. Canada’s strong, healthy relationship with the U.S.
is being put to a test as trade relations and tariffs are more challenging with the new U.S.
administration. Those issues and the relationship became an election issue here last
spring.
While many believed Mark Carney and his elbows up campaign would bring positive results
for Canada, what we have seen is a failure on his central promise to “handle” President
Trump and “negotiate a win” on tariffs.
Many constituent concerns and priorities from 2025 remain unresolved. Affordability, rising
cost of groceries, shortage of housing and government over-reach to name a few. More
recent concerns people approach me about are private property rights and the economic
uncertainty for homeowners and businesses and the more recent attack on people of faith
by trying to ban religious texts.
Whether it be in Parliament or in our communities, all Canadians benefit when we work
together. Our communities are stronger when we support each other, especially in times
like these when many face uncertainties and instability. I will continue to reach out to the
good people of Kamloops- Shuswap Central Rockies in 2026 and take their issues to
Ottawa for the roughly 26 weeks of the year I serve there in efforts to bring results for the
people of KSCR.