Former MLA talks becoming lobbyist for forestry and First Nations after 20 years in politics

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — When he lost his Peace River North MLA seat in the 2024 provincial election, Dan Davies joked the biggest challenge was “taking down the campaign signs.”

Speaking to Energeticcity.ca about his pursuits outside of politics after 20 years in the field, Davies said he has focused his energy working with Doig River First Nation (DRFN) and forestry companies as a lobbyist.

Davies, the former Peace River North MLA, took the defeat in stride and said although he was optimistic, he knew there was a chance he could lose.

“I’m a realist,” said Davies, speaking to Energeticcity.ca. “I know there are winners and losers. I ran for the [federal] Conservative nomination against Bob Zimmer in 2011 and lost. You readjust. You pick yourself up and dust yourself off, and move on to the next thing.

“That’s always who I have been. I don’t feel knocked down. I’m so grateful for the 20 years [in municipal and provincial politics] that I had. I’m very grateful. I’m blessed. I recognize that piece of privilege that I’ve had in my life, and I think that is really important.”

After a Mexican vacation with his family, Davies turned to his next chapter: building his lobbying firm, Davies North and Associates.

Davies opened the firm in January 2025.

He said venturing into the avenue of lobbying was something “really lacking” in northeast B.C. and was “a niche that needed to be filled.”

Some of his more prominent clients are Doig River First Nation (DRFN) and companies in the forestry industry. 

Davies admitted to Energeticcity.ca that plans for the company had been ongoing for about a year prior to his election night defeat.

“I had always thought about building a business on my own and being a lobbyist,” said Davies. “You always need a plan b. Sometimes, you need a plan b and a plan c.

“I was starting to have conversations with people, and started to lay that foundation.”

Specific to DRFN, Davies has accompanied the Nation’s council to legislative buildings in Victoria on a pair of occasions.

He also helped organize the Walking the Path of Justice: First Nations Court Conference last November in Dawson Creek, where the First Nation looked for support for an Indigenous court in Fort St. John.

“Being a local lobbyist and lobbyist provincially and federally, my job hasn’t really changed,” explained Davies. “I’m still building community. I’m still helping people build. I’m still very much connected to many of my former colleagues in the legislature.

“Whether it’s someone trying to get a permit to cut trees, or trying to work on some justice issues or transportation issues at Doig. They needed a conduit. I’ve become that conduit to connect them with the right people in government.”

While DRFN is currently his sole Indigenous client, he said he is looking forward to working with other Nations around the region.

As he focuses on the BC Natural Resources Forum in Prince George later this month, Davies still continues to be motivated by the lessons learned from his grandparents, who said, ‘you only get out what you put into your community.’

“One thing that I learned from him is what you give to your community, you will get back tenfold,” said Davies. “You will only get out of your community what you’re willing to put into it.

“I have sat on multiple boards, whether it’s shaping the restorative justice program or working with the air cadets program. That is the foundation of who I am in this community. It’s almost a duty enshrined in me to give to my community and hopefully hand something over to the next generation.”

While he is hard at work lobbying, Davies did not rule out a potential return to politics under the Conservative banner.  

Additionally, read about what former Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier has been doing after his retirement from politics.