After both were defeated in Saturday’s election, there were no celebrations in the NDP’s Prince George headquarters as Clay Pountney and Shar McCrory came to terms with their political fates.
Pountney was considered by some pundits as one of the favourites to win the Prince George-Valemount riding but it turned out he was unable to stop the Conservatives sweeping much of the province and lost the seat to Rosalyn Byrd.
“Everybody who’s running works very hard at this, for sure, and it’s been a good run,” said Pountney. “The numbers don’t lie, but there’s a lot of numbers out there. I had a ton of supporters supporting me and its been amazing. It’s about them and about letting the process takes its place.
“I wish (Byrd) the best representing us up here and hope she does well. There’s four years and we’ll have to see how that goes. Being up here for 30 years, you’re still going to see me a lot. This is my home community and this is where I’m comfortable. I love it up here.”
With all three Prince George ridings going to Conservative candidates, Pountney said they might have benefited from the surge of populism generated by the federal Conservatives, who are intent on knocking out the Liberals in the next federal election.
“There’s the federal Poilievre wave for sure, but it’s about people getting out to vote and being informed, making sure you have that information when you’re going in there to vote,” he said. “So I’m hoping people have done that and have done their research.”
McCrory finished second to Conservative Kiel Giddens in the Prince George-Mackenzie race. Giddens captured 61 per cent of the vote, while McCrory won 28 per cent.
“I’m a little surprised, but the people have spoken,” said McCrory. “We ran a great campaign and I congratulate Kiel on a good win.
“I learned that I love the North even more than I knew I did and the people in it, and that I really respect the diverse needs of everybody and the communities and the passion that people have that live here. My favorite part was knocking on doors and hearing people’s stories and concerns.
“We still don’t know if our party is going to be in power right now and my fingers are crossed.”
Both were holding out hope the incumbent NDP would hold on to its slim lead, holding a 46-45 edge over the Conservatives in a race that might not be ultimately decided until Oct. 26.
“Right now the province is up in the air and I’m hoping for the best,” said Pountney. “I’m wishing the best to David Eby and the NDP. Let’s hope this lands where I would like to see it land, with a majority.”
Now that his campaign is over, Pountney can return to his job as a lands assistant co-ordinator for S.i. Systems/Trans Canada Energy in Prince George, where he’s worked since he lost his bid in 2021 for re-election as chief of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation.
McCrory will continue to serve as a trustee for the Prince George school district, having been elected in June 2023. She also works full-time for Northern Heath as communications lead of medical affairs.
“I still want to do good work and support my community,” said McCroy. “I think we’re all working towards positive change in the North and the people of the North and I’ll continue to do my part as much as I can.”
