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Prince George candidates take pride in 2020 B.C. election experience, hopeful for parties' future

Final count slated to take place mid-November
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
Laura Parent-Mackenzie Kerr 2020 election
Prince George-Valemount candidates Laura Parent, NDP, (left) and Mackenzie Kerr, Green, for the 2020 B.C. election. (via Laura Parent/Mackenzie Kerr)

Hard fought campaigns took notice for all candidates in Prince George’s two electoral districts.

On Saturday (Oct. 24), the quick campaign condensed into over a month of virtual sessions, party signs and a forum all came together in hopes of a fun, successful evening in hopes of seeing their colours wave over the B.C. legislature for the next four years.

By preliminary count’s end, in the Prince George-Valemount riding, incumbent Liberal Shirley Bond was projected to win a sixth straight term and while mail-in ballots aren't expected to be counted until mid-November, she took more than double of the popular votes to garner a significant lead.

Looking back on their campaigns, Laura Parent and Mackenzie Kerr were proud to see their respective party boast a better election than anticipated, even if it meant they wouldn’t be heading to Victoria later this year.

“I’m so proud to run as part of this team,” said the BC NDP candidate Parent, who’s projected to win a majority government and take a back-to-back term in office for the first time in its history.

“I’m so honoured to have run as a part of this team. I can’t wait for the next four years to see what the NDP government does. It’s clear that we have put forward a platform that puts people first and that has resonated with British Columbians and, like I said, I’m just so proud to be part of that team.”

Both Parent and Kerr are under the age of 25, demonstrating the thirst for change and the power of politics among Prince George’s youth.

In fact, Kerr, the BC Greens candidate, won the 2020 B.C. student vote by a margin of 3.6 per cent ahead of Bond.

The UNBC student and former 2019 federal election runner says regardless of who wins a campaign, the MLA should be representing everyone, not just those who voted for them.

“We can have a good relationship where we sit down and I can bring my issues forward that, you know, hundreds of people supported those values and wanted them brought to the legislature,” Kerr explained to PrinceGeorgeMatters about the connection she has with Bond. 

“So I’m hoping just to keep that good relationship with her so I can advocate for those values and she can push them forward. [...] “I have learned that people want more accountability in government and we need more Greens to do that. I was hoping to be one of them and, you know, we’ll continue to keep pushing that forward, but people are ready for a change, and it’s coming.”

Parent and Kerr boasted that they will continue to fight for their values and the message they wish to bring in the years to come as this likely won’t be the last time local residents will see their names on a ballot in an upcoming election.

“I’ll fight for you and I’ll fight for your voice,” said Parent.

“It’s clear that our message is standing out. [...] We voted for a government that works for the people and that’s a change of what we’ve had for the 16 years of BC Liberal power, so it’s nice to see that so many people looking forward to the next four years.”

“I’m still hoping to push forward those values,” added Kerr while also noting that age is simply a number in the ring of politics.

“Bringing accountability into government, taking real climate action, leading with compassion when we’re talking about mental health and addictions, and the real issues that are in our society right now. We need to make sure our education systems are safe for children, healthcare, forestry [...] those are all still needs I’m passionate about.”

Of 88 ballot boxes counted, Bond took home more than 56 per cent of the vote, followed by Parent at nearly 26 per cent, Kerr with almost 15 per cent and Libertarian Sean Robson under three per cent.

PrinceGeorgeMatters has also reached out to Robson for comment on his campaign.

We’ll add his reaction when it becomes available.