Kealy confirms no involvement with new party created by fellow ex-Conservatives

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Jordan Kealy has confirmed he is not associated with the new One B.C. Party created by his former independent MLA colleagues. 

The Peace River North MLA defected from the Conservative Party of B.C. in March alongside Dallas Brodie, the MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena, and Tara Armstrong, the MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream, amid a row over Brodie’s comments about residential schools.

At that time, Kealy stated he would form a new political party with Brodie and Armstrong. 

But when Armstrong and Brodie announced their new party One B.C. on June 12th, Kealy was not listed as a member. 

In an interview with Energeticcity.ca on June 13th, Kealy confirmed he had no affiliation with the One B.C. party. 

“I had participated in the initial discussions regarding establishing a new party,” Kealy said. “However until the board of director roles are filled, key contributors to the new party are identified and I review the party constitution, my constituents are best served by me staying focused on critical issues in Peace River North.

“I will not become involved with a party unless it actually enhances representation for our region,” Kealy stated. 

Kealy told the Canadian Press that Brodie and Armstrong will find it difficult to be re-elected under their new party because it’s appealing to a “spectrum of voters” that he says is becoming “disenfranchised with the system.”

In a June 13th social media post, Kealy congratulated the launch of the political party and publicly announced his decision to not join the party. 

“I’m watching the development of this new party with interest,” Kealy wrote.

“If, in the future, our values and priorities align more closely, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of working more closely together.”

One B.C. has been registered with Elections B.C., with Brodie being named the interim leader of the party.