Davies vows to continue commitment to doing what’s best for Peace River North
Former BC United MLA to run as an Independent Candidate
With the support of such notable Peace River North residents as former MLA and Senator Richard Neufeld, incumbent MLA Dan Davies, late of the BC United party, announced that he was continuing his re-election campaign, as an Independent.
Following the gut-punch that was Kevin Falcon’s decision to dissolve the BC United Part, Davies took a few days to regroup after the surprise announcement and wait to see if he was to be one of the very few BC United MLA’s invited to run under the BC Conservative banner.
I’ve said for the last four years, my intention was always to run again. And that, I can announce today, has not changed.
Falcon’s announcement “was an absolute gut-punch, to myself as an MLA, to all my MLA colleagues, our candidates who have committed so much time in running for this upcoming election, and our staff locally in our constituency offices and in Victoria,” said Davies.
Davies said that he, along with all his colleagues found out about Falcon’s decision to pull out of the election on X (formerly Twitter).
“That’s just not the way things should be done,” he said. “This, I feel, was another decision made for me, and us up here by backroom deals that happen in Vancouver or Victoria, just like a lot of decisions that always leave us here in the North out.”
When it was clear that an invitation from John Rustad wasn’t coming, and after receiving an outpouring of support throughout the riding – like the BBQ in Fort Nelson Davies hosted where 100 people were expected, but 400 showed up – people he ran into at the grocery store, phone calls, all telling him he needed to keep his name on the ballot.
“That was the start of me really reflecting on my next steps moving forward,” he said. “As I’ve said for the last four years, my intention was always to run again. And that, I can announce today, has not changed.
“The encouragement that I’ve received, not just locally in the riding, but across this entire province – people are saying they want a capable, experienced and compassionate leader that can represent their interests in the legislature of British Columbia,” Davies said.
Davies says that his principles haven’t changed, the reasons he got into politics in the first place are still valid. He still wants to do better, and make sure that all our children have a future in British Columbia.
“Those principles that I started with have not changed. Those principles that I’ve always run on, and stood on, have not changed in regards to why I’m doing this today.”
As an independent candidate, Davies says he is committed to representing the riding of Peace River North. Being independent now gives him free-rein to represent and speak on behalf of constituents on issues that are important to the riding, a voter-driven representation without the limits imposed by partisan party politics.
“I will commit to working with whatever party is in power, to make sure that Peace River North gets its fair share.”
The major issues that are important to the riding are fixing Northern Health, which Davies says is the number one issue he faces in the constituency office.
“We need to do better; the government needs to provide better healthcare services for people in the Peace country. Bar none. Period.”
The cost of living is another major issue, both in Peace River North and throughout the province. Davies believes there is tremendous opportunity in the North, in all sectors of the economy, but they haven’t been given the chance to live up to their potential.
“Whether it’s the natural gas industry to support the LNG facilities out on the Coast, forestry – we just had the gut-wrenching news of Canfor’s announcement just recently – mining opportunities, these are all opportunities that have been undervalued, and that have been blocked by bad policy by the government.”
My commitment to you is a continued commitment, to ensure that the voice in Peace River North . . . has been and always will be the residents and constituents of Peace River North.
He added that in order to attract doctors and other professionals to communities in the North, a vibrant economy is necessary.
Tying into that is affordability. Affordability affects not only young people who are working, but also people on fixed incomes, such as Seniors. The North is also lacking in housing and services for Seniors.
“These are huge challenges that I’m hearing about. We need to make sure we’re supporting the people that built up our region, that built up our country.”
Another major problem is the crime and disorder facing every community in BC.
“When you have people who are worried, here in Fort St. John, to go out for walks in the evening – I’m born and raised in this community, and I’ve never seen this until just recently,” Davies said.
We need to be supporting the RCMP so they can do their jobs, and advocating for a better justice system that doesn’t release offenders the same day they’re brought in for whatever crime they have committed, he said.
Davies says he will also continue to advocate for making sure there is always a parent voice in the decisions happening in the education system. As a former elementary school teacher, he says he’s always valued parental involvement.
“I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that will not stop advocating for the Taylor Bridge. It’s an incredible piece of infrastructure that not only supports our industry and the economy of the North Peace, but tourism. People that are travelling to Alaska, to the Yukon – it’s such an important piece of infrastructure here in the North that must be taken seriously,” Davies said.
Even though BC United is no longer a factor in the election, it’s still not a simple two-party race. Rather, it’s something never seen before in British Columbia, and presents a unique opportunity for candidates.
“This election will be close, in many aspects. There’s a number of independents that will be running for the first time, in fact they’re expecting a record number of independents running, who may very well become the power brokers, in a legislature that’s looking like it might become a minority government.”
Davies also said that candidates and parties need to move away from the contentious, divisive politics that we’ve seen everywhere recently.
“That is not what people want. That is not what people expect in their elected representatives,” he said. “I plan to focus on my job, which is representing each and every individual in this riding, and representing British Columbians as we move forward in this very unique time.”
“My commitment to you is a continued commitment, to ensure that the voice in Peace River North, at every opportunity that I get in the legislature, has been and always will be the residents and constituents of Peace River North.”