Kiel Giddens says B.C. can do a lot better with how it utilizes its natural resources to stimulate the economy and create jobs and tax revenue for British Columbians.
Giddens announced Wednesday morning he will be the BC Conservative candidate for Prince George-Mackenzie in next month’s provincial election. The former BC United nominee says voters on his campaign trail have been telling him they do not approve of how the NDP government has handled the forestry sector crisis and the devastating effect of mill closures and permanent job losses.
Conservative leader John Rustad chose Giddens over Rachael Weber, who was the Conservative nominee for Prince George-Mackenzie until last week, when Falcon withdrew BC United from the Oct. 19 election race and urged BC United nominees to join forces with John Rustad’s BC Conservatives.
Weber, School District 57 trustee, has since announced on social media she may run as an independent candidate in Prince George-Mackenzie. Shar McRory, also an SD 57 trustee, is the NDP candidate.
Mike Morris, the current BC United MLA, is stepping away from politics after three terms.
“In BC politics it’s important to expect the unexpected and certainly when Kevin Falcon made the announcement last week that was something none of us expected when we put our name on the ballot,” said Giddens.
“This is a hard time in BC politics for individuals and I want to recognize those individuals, including here in our community, that have put their name forward and were seeking to be elected to office.This is difficult on people.
“I spent the long weekend really contemplating what I was going to do in this next election – it was very important to me to connect with friends, colleagues, advisors… I’ve talked to mentors from around the province on the future of British Columbia and what we need in Prince George-Mackenzie and ultimately it came down to the fact we do need a new government in this province.”
Giddens knows Rustad well from his three years in Victoria as a ministerial assistant and chief of staff working with the BC Liberals. He spoke to him extensively over the weekend and Giddens is confident his policies align with that of his new party.
“I believe he has the best interests of the province and the people of British Columbia in mind, there are very good people in the Conservative Party and I have always said that I want to be bringing the parties together, whether it was before or after the election,” said Giddens.
“There’s so much more that brings us together than divides us. I’ve heard from people across this riding and across the province that they’re hungry for change. We’re not seeing the outcome they deserve, whether that’s in healthcare, public safety or affordability. I want to be part of a movement that is bringing change to this province.
“It’s time to unite under a free enterprise banner here.”
In his introductory address at Northern Lights Estate Winery, Giddens promised if the BC Conservatives form the government in the Oct. 19 election they will put the brakes on the NDP’s ambitions to shift away from fossil fuels as the dominant energy source and turn to electricity.
Having worked in the sector for the past 11 ½ years for Trans Canada Energy, the 39-year-old Kamloops native is sold on the province’s abundant natural gas reserves as the obvious and cheapest source of fuel for furnaces and hot water tanks in northern B.C. homes and businesses.
“What the NDP have put in place for their so-called clean BC plans are absolutely devastating for our economy and they make no sense for the people of northern BC,” said Giddens.
“They say we are going to move solely to electricity without any redundant power system.That is completely irresponsible and irrational. There are billions needed to be spent in electricity generation and electricity infrastructure and substations that is not accounted for. That is an affordability crisis and a safety crisis for people in northern BC who rely on natural gas to heat our homes.
“Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel and we need redundant power systems. I will be fighting the NDP tooth and nail on this policy. We need to use BC’s clean natural gas here at home and we need to help the world by exporting natural gas through LNG to global markets for a safer and more secure energy future globally.”
Giddens has been wooing voters in their homes and out in the community at functions for the past year and says he’s looking forward to returning to the campaign trail.
“I’ve knocked on 1,600 doors myself and I’ve been to dozens of community events to hear about what’s needed in the province for change that’s important to all of us,” said Giddens.
“I’ve heard of forestry workers who have been laid off and a brighter future from the government that is ignoring their plight. I’ve heard from a mother whose child has been sucked into the cycle of addictions and needed a way out and the government policies right now have made it very difficult for her family.
“I’ve heard of a senior who has been on a wait list for knee surgery for four years now. He’s not getting the quality care he needs and it’s impacted his lifestyle.
“I’ve also heard from people in Mackenzie and the fact the Mackenzie emergency ward was closed for another weekend weighs heavily on my mind this election.”
Giddens is married to Elyse (nee Elmslie), a Prince George native who works as the College of New Caledonia’s director of policy, planning and strategy. They have two young sons, Thomas, 7, and Charlie, 4, who just started kindergarten this week.
