Preceded by Ron Cannan Name Stephen Fuhr Rank Major Allegiance Canada | Children Justin Party Liberal Party of Canada Political party Liberal Role Politician | |
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Alma mater Trinity Western University Profession Fighter pilot
Entrepreneur Education Trinity Western University | ||
Service/branch Royal Canadian Air Force | ||
Stephen fuhr thanks supporters
Stephen Fuhr (born May 27, 1969) is a Canadian Liberal politician, who was elected to represent the riding of Kelowna—Lake Country in the House of Commons of Canada in the 2015 federal election.
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Fuhr was born in Edmonton, and grew up in Kamloops. He attended Trinity Western University, earning a diploma in aviation technology, and subsequently joined what was then the Canadian Forces Air Command (now the Royal Canadian Air Force). As a pilot in the RCAF Fuhr served in several capacities to include flight training and standards. He also served as an operational fighter pilot and was involved in CF-18 fleet management. Fuhr was qualified as both a NORAD and NATO fighter operations evaluator and received a Commanders Commendation for his role as a Canadian NORAD Region (CANR) Fighter Officer (FO). Fuhr also received a Chief of the Air Staff Commendation for his part in regenerating Canada's tactical air control party (TACP) for the conflict in Afghanistan. In his final year in the RCAF Fuhr lead the team that restructured the course delivery method of the Canadian Forces Instrument Check Pilot School (ICPS).
He retired from the RCAF in 2009, and from 2009 to 2012 worked as an executive at SkyTrac Systems. Prior to his election, he was working as a private pilot and was qualified as a captain on several different aircraft types.
Fuhr, who described himself as a "lifelong Conservative", began to switch his affiliation in 2010 and later served on the board of directors of his local Liberal riding association. Fuhr is the first Liberal MP to represent Kelowna since 1972, and his election was seen as an upset.
Fuhr was elected to chair the Standing Committee on National Defence on February 18, 2016.