Former BC United candidate Kiel Giddens announced Wednesday that he will move over to the BC Conservatives to carry on his run to represent Prince George-Mackenzie in Victoria.
Giddens replaces Rachael Weber, who was removed as the Conservatives' candidate over the weekend.
"This past week has been a challenging one for many, following the unexpected announcement to suspend the BC United campaign. The impact of this decision has been deeply felt by individuals across our community and the province as a whole," Giddens said in a statement provided to The Citizen in advance of his formal announcement.
Giddens, 39, was chosen by BC United last year after incumbent BC United MLA Mike Morris announced he would not seek re-election.
That all changed when BC United Leader Kevin Falcon, after meeting with BC Conservatives Leader John Rustad, shut down his party's campaign and urged supporters to vote for the Conservatives to avoid a vote-split that could potentially see the NDP re-elected.
BC United's dismal polling numbers made it clear the party had no chance to be elected or even form the opposition, Falcon said at the time.
It was reported that the Conservatives would go over the list of BC United candidates and offer some of them the opportunity to run under a new banner.
Giddens said he had to give the idea of changing parties some serious thought before making his decision.
"After many heartfelt conversations with friends, advisors, colleagues, community members, and, most importantly, my family, I concluded that pressing on is the most effective way for me to drive positive change and contribute to the betterment of BC," he said in the statement.
Giddens spent three years with the BC Liberal government as chief of staff at the ministries of the environment, transportation and infrastructure/aboriginal relations before going to work for Trans Canada Energy in 2013. He's now the public affairs manager for Trans Canada’s Coastal GasLink project to build a natural gas pipeline from Dawson Creek to Kitimat.
"I remain committed to representing Prince George-Mackenzie with integrity, advocating for a province where we all want to live and build a better future for the next generation," he said. "Together, let’s build partnerships, seek solutions, and work towards a prosperous and hopeful future under the banner of a new Conservative Party of British Columbia government."
Shar McCrory is the NDP's candidate in Prince George-Mackenzie.
This story will be updated after Giddens makes his announcement.
