It’s crunch time: Who will you vote for?
Election Day is upon us at last, in Peace River North we’ve broken records in the advance polls, with 30 percent of registered voters taking advantage of the extra days to cast their ballots. It’s not just in Peace River North, throughout the province voters showed up in record numbers over the last nine days, with ridings on Vancouver Island setting the provincial advance turnout record.
While it’s a good start, there’s still the other 70 percent of registered voters who ought to cast their votes today.
Who will you vote for?
We have two real candidates in Peace River North. Incumbent MLA Dan Davies who opted to run as an independent after BC United called it quits. And Jordan Kealy, who has joined John Rustad’s rejuvenated Conservative Party of BC as the local candidate. Both men are willing to sacrifice the comforts of home, family and careers to represent the people of Peace River North.
As a reminder of who they are, and what they’re promising, here are their opening statements from last week’s All Candidates’ Forum at The Lido:
Jordan Kealy, Conservative Party of BC candidate:
“I just want to let you know that I’m the one and only candidate for the Conservative Party of BC, and I have been for the past year. I have travelled around this region, and we’ve held over 20 events and town halls to be able to talk to communities, and answer questions.
“I’m originally from the Lower Mainland, I grew up in Langley on a small farm then I moved up here over 20 years ago, to be able to pursue my apprenticeship as a millwright. I’ve worked in various different industries all around this region and over into Alberta, and it’s given me an appreciation of the ability to thrive and afford be able to have a living. It made it so that I could buy a farm, and when I met my wife – we’ve had the farm since 2008, and I love having the farm and the freedom.
“The difference between down in the Lower Mainland, the mentality of the people, it’s different. And when I moved up here, people would literally give you the shirt off their back, if you needed it. I love that appreciation; what people will do. It really made me feel at home, and I don’t plan on going anywhere.
“I got into politics personally because in the healthcare system I lost my dad two years ago, and it’s because of that I was kind of at a loss, I didn’t really know what to do and I didn’t like the way it happened, and I had to find a different way to approach what to do. I decided I had the opportunity to put my name in for local politics and I got voted in as the Area B director on the PRRD. It opened my eyes. It was a steep learning curve, but it was a great learning experience, being able to work with other mayors, councillors and be involved in the community and sit on several boards and associations and working intimately with all the communities and know a lot of the concerns.
“It’s not surprising that the NDP aren’t here, they’re just kind of invisible, they pretty much don’t acknowledge this region. In most cases when we have issues, when we try and advocate to the province, we’ve had a lot of issues trying to get support for the rural regions of British Columbia.
“I think that’s one of the amazing things about our party, is that with John Rustad as the leader, and possible premier, he could be the first premier of British Columbia from the North. I want to stress that he can be a premier that actually understands the rural regions, as well as the city, and the balance of how that can work.
“Some of the main things that I’ve learned about this region as I go around and see the different things affecting us, that the key concerns that we face are affordability; healthcare; crime and drugs; and supporting out resource industry. We’ll be more involved when it comes to the discussions on this, and I really look forward to the questions and concerns that people have to that they want to express.
“I look forward to being engaged and I’m always willing to answer my phone. I think that’s one thing that every person will acknowledge, that I’m always there to listen.”
Dan Davies, Independent candidate:
“My name is Dan Davies and I’m your Independent conservative candidate, and it’s really important to decipher my opponent is the Conservative Party of British Columbia’s candidate. It is really important that people understand who I am, the values that I hold as a conservative running in this upcoming election, those are my ideologies.
“I didn’t just walk into politics here in Fort St. John. I grew up here, I’ve worked here my whole life, and I’ve raised my family here. Twelve years on city council, seven years as the MLA, sitting on multiple regional boards, I have a deep understanding of the issues, the things that people have taught me about this riding, and those are things you can imagine about healthcare, infrastructure, the way that we need to make our life better.
“My leadership is rooted in service. I’m a Major with the Canadian Armed Forces, I’ve worked with the Cadet program, the former vice-president of the Legion, the former Chair of the Restorative Justice Society and many others. Leadership just isn’t about politics. It’s often about the community relationships, about learning from each other, rolling up our sleeves to get the work done. My advocacy that I’ve done over the last seven years has lead to many real outcomes. Like working towards the nurse training program that’s offered here in Fort St. John. Ending the claw backs that many of our families who have children with autism that the government was going to do. Working with seniors to stop the provincial retinal program, saving the eyesight of thousands of seniors.
“Steady leadership matters in this election, and I believe that with hard work and personal responsibility and standing up for everyday families are the values that I bring forward. It’s also important that, I think, people understand fiscal responsibility is critically important. So is small government, as well as getting free enterprise and promoting entrepreneurship to build our economy.
“I’ve worked for many years in the oil and gas industry; I’m a truck driver; I’ve taught many of your children in the school system. I know what it means to earn a living as well. I also understand the challenges that we face here in the North, that comes with working in the North.
“These businesses and industry are the backbone of our economy. It’s the backbone of British Columbia’s economy and we need to be recognized for that.
“Some might wonder what it means to run without a party, and I believe my record speaks for itself. I’ve spent years building relationships and understanding the system. Those skills don’t just disappear because I’m running as an independent. Running without a party allows me to do what’s best for British Columbians, what’s best for this riding. I don’t have to worry about all the votes that are going to Vancouver. We just had to watch the debate last night on TV to see David Eby and John Rustad solely focussed on the issues in Vancouver.
“I can focus on you, the people of the North Peace and make sure that those issues are brought forward into the legislature.”
Davies and Kealy gave the audience, the voters of Peace River North, a lot to think about with their opening statements, their responses to questions and bit more with their closing statements, two hours later. Here are those closing statements:
Jordan Kealy:
“I may be new to politics, but I don’t think you’ll find anybody that works harder than I do. When I turn around and say that I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it. I think I’ve demonstrated that to a lot of people already, and I look forward to being able to do that more.
“I want to leave you with a quote published today by former premier Gordon Campbell of the BC Liberals:
“There is only one choice if you’re looking for change, the BC Conservatives. If our votes go to the alternate candidates, the NDP will win. Split vote means the NDP wins, that is clear from our history.”
“I’m asking you tonight, to vote for BC’s only true conservative party and its candidate, myself, to be able to represent this region in the strongest role possible, and I would love it if I could put my name forward to be able to be the Ag Minister or Forestry Minister. I think right now when you look at experience, our current Ag Minister has an arts degree. I would love it if I could escort her out of the office and bring some experience to government.”
Dan Davies:
“As I’ve said throughout the night, tonight is about experienced conservative leadership, something that I can bring to the table. My years of experience that I’ve worked throughout the region doesn’t matter the region, doesn’t matter the size of the issue, it’s important that everyone’s heard, and that voice is brought forward. It’s about bringing these voices to Victoria and finding local solutions for local problems.
“It is something that I’ve stated, I have not just walked into politics, I’ve lived here, I’ve volunteered here, I’ve raised my family here that’s something that I’m absolutely very proud of.
“I started this campaign under a different banner, I think everybody knows the story. Like many of you, I did believe in what that party stood for – free enterprise, small government, lower taxes and all those other things that we talk about so often. But when the party folded even before the writ dropped, my decision was very clear. I was going to continue to run, because that was what I had promised everyone, and I still have a lot of work to do.
“As far as the vote split, there is no vote split here in Peace River North. Ten percent roughly is where the NDP come in. This is a race on the right. This is a race about sending the best conservative, with the best voice, the most leadership to Victoria to represent each and every one of you across this entire riding.
“We’ve seen it before, over and over again, political parties and I was partially guilty on that, although I was never in government. You get parties that promise the world, but you never see the deliverables. This isn’t about those big giant promises, this is about me working for each and every one of you in here. Working for every single community, bringing the issues that matter – getting someone to their specialist appointment in Vancouver, and getting them home again. Connecting with resource workers and the resource industry and getting jobs coming up here to the North. Making sure that we’re working with the Canfors and the LPs, making sure that we can find a path forward in regard to forest policy.
“What I’m offering is different. I am standing here as an Independent that can and will make a difference in the provincial legislature. I have no party lines to worry about. I can individually represent your voice in the legislature. And again, I call it direct democracy. Your voice is my voice, in the provincial legislature.
“There’s a big, long list - those are things that I will continue to work on, and I can almost cross one off, I’ve worked very closely with the District of Hudson’s Hope, and it sounds like we’re close to getting a deal to get them drinking water. I can do the same work, working with the District of Hudson’s Hope, I can do that same work working with the City of Fort St. John, Taylor, the Regional District, the town of Fort Nelson.
“Put Dan Davies to work for you. I encourage you to vote, that’s the most important part of this whole democratic process, please vote. Put Dan Davies back to work for you in the provincial legislature.”
Polls close at 8 p.m.
In the Fort St. John area, you can vote at Charlie Lake Community Hall, Baldonnel Elementary School, Clearview School, FSJ Senior’s Hall, North Peace Cultural Centre, Montney Hall, the Pomeroy Hotel, Taylor Community Hall, Upper Pine Elementary, Wonowon Elementary, and Prespatou School.