Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola MP Dan Albas is throwing his support behind Maxime Bernier for leader of the Conservative Party.

Albas, the Tories deputy finance critic, has been tapped by Bernier to serve as one of the the Quebec MP’s three leadership campaign co-chairs in B.C.

Albas will join Robin Dhir and Sarah Weddell in heading Bernier’s campaign in this province.

“With 42 ridings, British Columbia is a key battleground in the Conservative leadership race. Dan joins a growing team of supporters of my campaign in that province,” said Bernier.

“During the first two quarters of the race, 68 per cent of all donors in B.C. who donated to a leadership candidate gave to my campaign. As British Columbia campaign chair, Dan will help me grow this support even more and ensure that we come out victorious on May 27.”

Albas, whose riding includes West Kelowna and part of south central Kelowna, said in order for his party to defeat governing Liberals, lead by Justin Trudeau, in 2019, the Conservatives will need what he called an “authentic” leader who puts forward bold, conservative ideas and defends them with passion and conviction.

“Ideas that respect the Constitution and allow true interprovincial trade,” said Albas

“Maxime Bernier has those ideas and will be the next Conservative prime minister,” he predicted.