The NDP and Liberals have confirmed their candidates for the North Coast in the upcoming May 9 election. The Green Party has not yet confirmed a candidate but applications are still open.
The NDP’s incumbent, MLA Jennifer Rice, was first elected in 2013. She has served as the Opposition Spokesperson for Rural and Northern Health and as Deputy Spokesperson for Children and Family Development. Most recently she was awarded the position of new Opposition Spokesperson for Northern and Rural Economic Development.
“Life has become harder because northern families and northern communities have been hit the hardest by Christy Clark’s unfair fee hikes and bill increases – like increases to B.C. Hydro rates and ferry fares. Cuts to B.C. Ferries have negatively impacted the economies of Bella Coola and Haida Gwaii; these cuts are driving away jobs and forcing people to choose between paying rent and paying for heat and food,” said Rice. “I’m excited to take on this role because under Christy Clark, the economy isn’t working for northern communities, and that’s bad for British Columbia as a whole.”
The candidate for the B.C. Liberal’s is a familiar face in Prince Rupert: former mayor, Lax Kw’alaams band administrator and community advocate Herb Pond. He won the Liberal nomination on January 21.
Pond served two terms as Prince Rupert mayor, worked as a community relations advisor for LNG proponent BG Canada, and has been an active community volunteer with Prince Rupert groups including Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Economic Development Commission.
“Our communities and our region are full of potential – but for that potential to be realized, we need an MLA who will work hard to deliver opportunity,” Pond said. “I’m excited to offer North Coast voters a choice that will work passionately for economic development that creates jobs and opportunity while respecting our environment.”