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Stephen Fuhr

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The Honourable
Stephen Fuhr
PC CD MP
Secretary of State
for Defence Procurement
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 13, 2025
Prime MinisterMark Carney
Preceded byPosition established
Member of Parliament
for Kelowna
Incumbent
Assumed office
April 28, 2025
Preceded byTracy Gray
Member of Parliament
for Kelowna—Lake Country
In office
October 19, 2015 – September 11, 2019
Preceded byRon Cannan
Succeeded byTracy Gray
Chairman of the Standing Committee on National Defence
In office
February 18, 2016 – September 11, 2019
Preceded byPeter Kent
Succeeded byKaren McCrimmon
Personal details
BornStephen Bradley Fuhr
(1969-05-27) May 27, 1969 (age 57)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
PartyLiberal (2010–present)
Conservative (2003–2010)
Canadian Alliance (2000–2003)
Reform (c. 2000)
Alma materTrinity Western University
Profession
  • Politician
  • entrepreneur
  • fighter pilot
Military service
Allegiance Canada
Branch/service Royal Canadian Air Force
Years of service
1989–2009
RankMajor

Stephen Bradley Fuhr MP (born May 27, 1969) is a Canadian politician, retired air force officer, and aviation executive who has served as the member of Parliament (MP) for Kelowna in the House of Commons since 2025. A member of the Liberal Party, he previously held this seat from 2015 to 2019 under the previous name Kelowna—Lake Country. Fuhr is also a decorated pilot who served for 20 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), retiring with the rank of Major.

Early life and education

[edit]

Fuhr was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and was raised in Kamloops, British Columbia.[1] He pursued post-secondary studies in aviation technology at Trinity Western University, earning a diploma that enabled him to begin an aviation career.[1]

Military career

[edit]

In 1989, Fuhr joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. Over a 20-year career, he served in various roles, including A2 flight instructor, standards officer, CF-18 Hornet fighter pilot, and fleet manager.[1] He was a qualified NORAD and NATO operations evaluation officer. In his last year of service, Fuhr led the team that restructured the course delivery method of the RCAF Instrument Check Pilot School (ICPS).

Aviation career

[edit]

Following his military retirement, Fuhr transitioned to the civilian aviation industry. He served as Vice President and Director of Business Development, and later the president and CEO of SkyTrac Systems, an aerospace and satellite communications company, from 2009 to 2012.[2] From 2013 to 2015, Fuhr was qualified as an aircraft captain on several different transport category aircraft for a private part 91 operator. Fuhr is currently a Transport Canada pilot examiner, with delegated authority to issue and renew pilot instrument ratings.[3]

Political career

[edit]

Shift from Conservative to Liberal

[edit]

Fuhr was previously a supporter of the Conservative Party but became disillusioned with its policy direction, particularly concerning defence and procurement issues. In his own words, he grew concerned with how the government under Prime Minister Stephen Harper was "mismanaging" defence files.[4] In 2010, Fuhr joined the Liberal Party of Canada, believing it better aligned with his values.

Member of Parliament (2015–2019)

[edit]

In the 2015 federal election, Fuhr ran as the Liberal candidate for Kelowna—Lake Country. He defeated incumbent Conservative MP Ron Cannan, marking a significant upset in a historically Conservative riding. Fuhr became the first Liberal elected in Kelowna—Lake Country since 1972.[5] During his term, Fuhr was appointed Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence.[6] In this role, he oversaw committee studies on Canada's defence posture, procurement processes, and military support for international missions. Fuhr also spoke publicly on issues related to veterans' affairs, defence strategy, and national security, emphasizing a pragmatic approach to foreign policy. Fuhr tabled a private members motion in the House of Commons asking the Standing Committee on Transport to examine how the Government of Canada could better support flight training and flight schools to combat Canada’s pilot shortage. The motion passed unanimously 288–0.[7] In the 2019 federal election, Fuhr was defeated by Tracy Gray, the Conservative Party candidate, returning the riding to Conservative control.[5]

Return to politics (2025–present)

[edit]

On March 21, 2025, Fuhr was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate for the newly restructured Kelowna riding for the forthcoming federal election.[8] Speaking about his decision to return to politics, Fuhr cited the turmoil that has ensued in the Canada–U.S. relationship following the 2024 United States presidential election. He described the national situation as an "all hands on deck moment for the country".[9] On April 29, 2025, Fuhr was elected as the member of Parliament for the Kelowna riding, returning to the House of Commons. Shortly thereafter, On May 13, 2025, Fuhr was appointed Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, a role in which he is tasked with overseeing military acquisitions and ensuring the Canadian Armed Forces are adequately equipped to meet national and international commitments.[10]

Community involvement

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Outside of his professional and political career, Fuhr has been involved in veterans and community organizations. His affiliations have included: the Rotary Club of Kelowna, the Royal Canadian Legion, Kelowna Branch 26, and the Kelowna Army Navy & Air Force Veterans Unit 376.[11]

Personal life

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Fuhr is a father of one.[11]

In August 2023, Fuhr's home in West Kelowna was destroyed in the McDougall Creek fire, which ravaged hundreds of properties in the area.[12] Fuhr publicly vowed to rebuild and expressed gratitude for community support in the aftermath of the disaster.

Electoral record

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2025 Canadian federal election: Kelowna
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalStephen Fuhr28,70248.78+22.54$118,108.03
ConservativeTracy Gray27,62046.94+4.63$116,654.48
New DemocraticTrevor McAleese1,9413.30–17.85$12,285.91
GreenCatriona Wright5780.98–2.03none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 58,84199.34–$129,900.20
Total rejected ballots 3920.66+0.36
Turnout 59,23370.20+8.07
Eligible voters 84,374
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +8.96
Source: Elections Canada[13][14]
2019 Canadian federal election: Kelowna—Lake Country
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
ConservativeTracy Gray31,49745.57+5.82$109,422.53
LiberalStephen Fuhr22,62732.74–13.42$103,263.61
New DemocraticJustin Kulik8,38112.13–1.96$8,811.35
GreenTravis Ashley5,1717.48–$6,745.70
People'sJohn Barr1,2251.77–$7,213.32
IndependentDaniel Joseph1520.22–none listed
IndependentNicola-Silverado Socrates670.10–none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 69,12099.56–$123,247.35
Total rejected ballots 3050.44+0.08
Turnout 69,42568.39–2.26
Eligible voters 101,507
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +9.62
Source: Elections Canada[15][16]
2015 Canadian federal election: Kelowna—Lake Country
Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
LiberalStephen Fuhr29,61446.16+34.69$127,725.08
ConservativeRon Cannan25,50239.75–18.63$70,942.48
New DemocraticNorah Mary Bowman9,03914.09–7.28$33,945.86
Total valid votes/expense limit 64,15599.64–$228,718.18
Total rejected ballots 2300.36
Turnout 64,38570.65
Eligible voters 91,131
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +26.66
Source: Elections Canada[17][18]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 Stephen Fuhr – Liberal Party Profile
  2. ↑ Aviation Week – Stephen Fuhr
  3. ↑ Stephen Fuhr – LinkedIn
  4. ↑ Stephen Fuhr – WordPress Biography
  5. 1 2 Kelowna Capital News – 2019 Election Results
  6. ↑ Parliament of Canada – Member Profile
  7. ↑ Motions – Stephen Fuhr
  8. ↑ Liberal Party of Canada – Acclamation Notice 2025
  9. ↑ Castanet News – Fuhr Political Comeback (2025)
  10. ↑ Castanet News - Stephen Fuhr voted in as next MP of Kelowna riding
  11. 1 2 Lake Country Calendar – 2015 Candidate Profile
  12. ↑ Castanet News – McDougall Creek Fire (House Loss)"
  13. ↑ "Forty-Fifth General Election 2025 — Poll-by-poll Results: Kelowna". elections.ca. Elections Canada. 2025.
  14. ↑ Canada, Chief Electoral Officer (2025). "Candidate Campaign Returns, 2025 General Election: Part 3C – Summary of Electoral Campaign Expenses and Other Outflows – Election expenses subject to the limit – Total". elections.ca. Elections Canada. Expenses are reported "as amended" where amendments have been filed; otherwise, they are reported "as submitted".
  15. ↑ "Forty-Third General Election 2019 — Poll-by-poll Results: Kelowna—Lake Country". elections.ca. Elections Canada. 2019.
  16. ↑ Canada, Chief Electoral Officer (2019). "Candidate Campaign Returns, 2019 General Election: Part 3C – Summary of Electoral Campaign Expenses and Other Outflows – Election expenses subject to the limit – Total". elections.ca. Elections Canada. Expenses are reported "as amended" where amendments have been filed; otherwise, they are reported "as submitted".
  17. ↑ "Forty-Second General Election 2015 — Poll-by-poll Results: Kelowna—Lake Country". elections.ca. Elections Canada. 2015.
  18. ↑ Canada, Chief Electoral Officer (2015). "Candidate Campaign Returns, 2015 General Election: Part 4 – Campaign Financial Summary – Total election expenses subject to the limit". elections.ca. Elections Canada. Expenses are reported "as amended" where amendments have been filed; otherwise, they are reported "as submitted".
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