Voting day is still four months off but the B.C. Liberals have started laying the groundwork in Prince George for the coming provincial election campaign.
A campaign office is now open on Westwood Drive in the name of the two local MLAs, Mike Morris and Shirley Bond.
Morris, the MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie, said the office is currently open on a "casual basis" and a full-time officer manager will probably be in place in the next couple of weeks.
Several other campaign offices have been opened across the province, he said, and recalled helping with past campaigns beginning about this time of year.
"We've got our office open a little bit ahead of schedule and I think that would be a good thing," Morris said and added he plans to be there in person on as many Saturday mornings as possible over the next few months.
"Just to hear people, hear what they have to say, what their concerns are and see if there is any way we can address their concerns and if we can't let them know why," Morris said.
He said the major issue for this area is jobs, while the concern about skyrocketing home prices that's dominated headlines in the Lower Mainland has not gained as much traction up here.
Bond, the MLA for Prince George-Valemount, said her campaign team has already started knocking on doors, with as many as 25 volunteers out on a given Saturday.
"We want our constituents to know that we expect to have to work hard to earn their trust again and I think that's just a respectful way to run a campaign," she said.
A volunteer appreciation at the office drew 50 people, according to Bond, who said it will get busier in the days ahead. An official opening has not yet been held.
A short sitting of the legislature is set for February. The election is set for May 9 with the writ to be dropped 30 days prior.
