Jordan Kealy highlights Conservative goals on This Week in the Peace

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The Conservative candidate for Peace River North joined Steve Berard on the latest episode of This Week and the Peace to talk about his politics.

Conservative Candidate Jordan Kealy appeared on This Week in the Peace following the all-candidates forum on October 9th at the Lido Theatre, where he debated with incumbent and Independent candidate Dan Davies. 

During the interview, Kealy commented that he was ‘thrown off’ during the forum, claiming he thought he had five minutes instead of three for his opening and closing remarks. He stated he had to cut his information down impromptu while on stage, lamenting the loss of ‘a lot of really good info.’ 

With the forum being his first ‘major debate,’ Kealy felt he conducted himself well against a ‘seasoned politician,’ despite his minimal political experience since being elected the Peace River Regional District Area B Director two years ago. 

Kealy also stated it might be confusing for voters to have two candidates on the right, stating that Davies had copied the Conservative Party’s platform ‘directly, almost in every way.’ 

“[The platform] is something I’ve been using for almost a year now,” Kealy stated. 

Kealy emphasized that he feels he has shown residents that he and the Conservative Party are committed to improving the province and that his campaign promises hold more merit than those of an independent candidate. 

“We’re committed to make these major items happen when we form a majority government. Our primary goal is to get the key people into folio positions, and start to make our way of life better,” Kealy said. 

Kealy doubled down on his comments during the all-candidates forum at the Lido on October 9th about wanting to put his name forward to be the provincial Minister of Agriculture and Food. 

The position is currently held by Minister Pam Alexis, who was appointed in 2022 and elected as an MLA to the legislature in 2020. Prior to being elected as an MLA, Alexis was the mayor of Mission, B.C., and had a public service record starting in 2005. 

During the interview, Kealy stated that Davies was ‘splitting the vote,’ which could lead to the NDP returning to government following the election. 

“Right now we have a group of independents that are determined to try and form a minority government and try and force sway in different ways. What we need and what is absolutely vital that we have is that we have a majority government to take the place, and not have independents come in at different scenarios,” Kealy said. 

When asked to clarify his answer about the Taylor Bridge and where the project falls on the Conservative Party’s priority list, Kealy explained that there were ‘a lot of variables’ in place. 

“I can’t give a commitment that it is gonna happen instantly, right away, first in line, but what I can say is that we do not want to see that bridge end up like the first bridge,” Kealy said. 

When asked about his background as a farmer, and what he would advocate for in the legislative assembly, Kealy described himself as ‘not your standard politician,’ stating that he has ‘lived a life’ and has common sense ‘unlike most politicians.’ 

“I think that I have demonstrated to a lot of people that I can jump onto a stage and I can hold my own with a seasoned politician,” Kealy said. 

Kealy emphasized the benefits of electing the Conservative Party during the election, including eliminating the Carbon Tax, decreasing the cost of living, and reducing the provincial debt.

Kealy also clarified his stance on getting rid of ICBC, explaining that with too much red tape, crown corporations no longer become beneficial to residents.

The candidate reiterated the Conservative Party’s ‘people first’ intentions in privatising vehicle insurance in the province, explaining that sometimes ‘simpler is better.’

“I’m committed to ensuring our residents have a voice, and a loud voice. I think I’ve got a pretty loud voice, I can push when I need to, and a large presence for being down in Victoria,” Kealy said.