With 61.12 per cent of the vote, Kiel Giddens is the new BC Conservative MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie.
“So proud of what our team has been able to accomplish,” he said.
“We’ve worked hard for a long time now, we’ve knocked on thousands of doors, I’m proud that I’ve put myself out there on this campaign but really it was a team effort and I’m excited to be able to represent the voice of Prince George-Mackenzie in the Victoria Legislature.”
Giddens said he’s in this to represent the voice of young families in BC as well.
“When I decided to run, it was as a family, so my wife and my two kids have been involved in this whole process,” he said.
“We want to make sure that young families are represented in the ideas that come to the BC Government, and really proud that it was a family effort.”
Giddens added making sure Victoria respects the resource sector is a priority for him.
“I heard from so many stories of forestry workers, or folks in mining or other resource industries that feel uncertainty. We need to bring certainty back to our industry,” he said.
“The other thing is our healthcare system here in the Northern Health region, we have big problems to fix, and together we need to fight for better outcomes in healthcare and access to healthcare in the Northern Health region.”
BC NDP Candidate Shar McCrory finished with the second most votes, claiming 28.02 per cent of the votes in Prince George-Mackenzie.
“I feel okay, we ran a great race I think, the campaign was good, I had amazing people around me, and I’ve already offered my congratulations to Kiel, and on we go,” McCrory said.
She said since becoming the NDP candidate, it’s been a journey of learning.
“Now I can do some reflection and go back to my normal life, which won’t be so bad,” she said.
“It’s been a wonderful journey and I’m so appreciative of the volunteers that supported and surrounded me and helped me, lift me up and run this campaign, and I have to say that through it all, I love the North even more because I met so many incredible people. I loved being on the doors, and it was a really positive experience.”
BC Greens candidate James Steidle finished with 8.42 per cent of the vote in the riding, while unaffiliated candidate Rachael Weber claiming 2.44 per cent.
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