IN THE LEDGE – Long-time resident Bill Kershaw makes Barriere stronger

A statement by Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Ward Stamer today (March 4, 2025) in the B.C. Legislature about long-time Barriere resident Bill Kershaw:

Ward Stamer: Mr. Speaker, I wanted to share my experiences with a man who has done much for the community of Barriere and the surrounding North Thompson Valley for over 50 years. Bill Kershaw, with his new bride, Bernie, moved to Barriere in 1968 and purchased the Esso service station and tow truck service.

From the beginning, Bill was called out at all hours of the day and night to rescue people and their vehicles in numerous situations. It could be a simple flat tire without a spare. It could be a vehicle stuck in a shallow ditch, or the two more serious highway crashes, with dead and injured people to attend to. As a reminder, Barriere had just raised money as a community and purchased their first ambulance in 1968 — a first.

Bill was always community-minded and helped everyone he could, whether he was working on projects around our town, coaching his three boys in sports, working on vehicles to all hours of the night so that people could get their work vehicles back by morning. Bill was dedicated.

Bill was on the improvement district for many years. During the spring of 1996, when he stepped down, I stepped in. Bill was elected many terms to the TNRD, including as vice-chair, as well as serving on our district council for two terms.

Bill has sat on many community organizations throughout the years and joined the Barriere Chamber of Commerce in 2005, first serving as a director, as vice-president, and 12 years as president.

All of us in this House understand and respect the importance of having strong local businesses in our communities, large and small. Many of our businesses have been hit in recent times — high taxes, crime, bureaucracy and red tape and now U.S. tariffs.

Through it all, people like Bill Kershaw demonstrated that hard work, volunteering and doing what is right for our community…. Our communities are stronger. That is why Bill Kershaw is receiving the Barriere Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Award tonight. I could not think of a better person to be recognized for over 50 years of community service. Well done, Bill.

Source: BC Hansard