OPINION – Independents versus Political Party Candidates

Part 1 or 2 – Part 2 will be published on October 8, 2024.

Some will call BC’s October 19^th election the most important, ever, but this is not quite true.

Every election is important whether they be for changing who governs or confirms the existing government with another mandate to govern.  Sometimes forgotten, but just as important, is selecting the person to represent us, and in his case, our riding (Peace River North), its citizens, interests and as our Member of the Legislature (MLA).

The 2024 election has had it share of twists and turns with Peace River North being no exception.  Gone is BC United and their attempt to replace the NDP with a fiscally responsible government, and in their place, enter the BC Conservatives.  New leader, new resolve and the same commitment to rid BC of Premier Eby, the NDP and their plans to financially bankrupt our province.

Sounds good?  Easy choices for the voters?  Maybe yes, and maybe no.

Kevin Falcon’s announcement that BC United would withdraw all BC United candidates and give John Rustad and the BC Conservatives the authority to decide who, if any of the BC United candidates would be invited to join him and run as BC Conservatives created a turmoil and confusion that will exist until all votes are counted, and maybe, long after.  Fairly easy to understand Falcon’s rationale that he did not wish to split the “right” of centre vote and give David Eby and the NDP another win.  Less easy to understand why he choose to abandon his MLA’s and BC United supporters and allow a competing party to determine their future.

To further help Rustad and the BC Conservatives, Falcon gave them BC United’s voter database, background information on BC Conservative and NDP candidates and BC United’s complete election platform and policy, likely in an attempt to help sway Rustad in inviting those sitting MLA’s to join him and defeat the NDP. 

For reasons that have not been made public, some sitting BC United MLAs were not invited to run as BC Conservatives, including both NE BC MLA’s (Dan Davies – Peace River North and Mike Bernier – Peace River South).  As a result, both choose to resign from the BC United with Davies running as an “Independent” and Bernier as “Unaffiliated”.

Elections BC requires that to run as Independent or Unaffiliated one cannot be a member of a provincial party. Candidates who have registered as independents will appear on the ballot with the word “Independent” listed next to their name. Candidates who have not been endorsed by a party or registered as independent will appear on the ballot with just their name. They are categorized as “Unaffiliated”. 

So here we are today with both incumbents running without party affiliations and with the North and South Peace ridings having similar dynamics.  

The NDP has nominated two persons who work for NDP Cabinet members and reside in Victoria to run in the North and South Peace ridings.  The BC Greens nominated a person who lives in Victoria to run in the North Peace, but this person was unable to find 100 person who live in the North Peace to sign his nomination form, so consequently, BC Elections disqualified him.  There is no Green candidate in the South Peace.  Given these are token representatives, have no local affiliation or intentions and were only nominated to serve their master’s wishes and fill blank spots on the ballot, I won’t give them any credence of using their names. History says these candidates will get a few votes with little to no chance of being the first past the post and representing our ridings.  But, in a closely contested race, could be a factor by taking away or adding votes to one candidate or another and help determining the eventual winner.

The BC Conservatives have nominated Jordan Kealy in the North Peace and Larry Neufeld in the South Peace, and it is with these two that Davies and Bernier will be having to beat to continue as our MLAs.

So far, the race has been interesting, especially so in the unregulated realm of social media where most everything goes in terms of what one believes, promotes or desires.  Not so much from the candidates’ perspectives as they have all been coached to stay away from posting or saying anything controversial or outright and blatant lies (although one can wonder if some of the party campaign promises are truthful or not!).  Not the same for some of the supporters, with half truths, poor understandings of reality and process and a propensity for some to slander candidates, and that is why I am writing this column.

For the record and to ensure I am clear on where my perspectives come from, I have had a keen interest in politics for most of my adult life. Spent nine years as Mayor of Chetwynd and 8 years as a Director on the Peace River Regional District.  Once tried to run for the BC Liberal nomination in the North Peace and lost to Pat Pimm. Provincially I have supported the BC Social Credit, who became the BC Liberals and in turn, BC United.  Was President of the North Peace Liberal Riding Association with both Pat Pimm (may Pat rest in peace) and Dan Daves as MLAs, both as President and as a member of the riding executive until recently, with the demise of BC United and departure of Davies.  I continue to talk with and support Dan in his current bid for another term as our MLA.  What I write are my own thoughts and opinions and not endorsed or reviewed by any of the candidates.

Some of my good friends have asked why I would support and promote Dan Davies as an Independent when I favour John Rustad and the BC Conservatives as leading our next provincial government.  Good question that has a few nuances.

Ever since the NDP won the 2017 election because of the vote being split between the BC Liberals and BC Conservatives in a small number of ridings, I have advocated that they join forces and return to governing BC under conservative principles. Didn’t turn out that way again in 2020 when the two parties couldn’t agree and the NDP once again won with the right vote split.  Was headed that way again this year when John Rustad refused to negotiate any terms for a united front, until Kevin Falcon eventually capitulated.

This now brings us to three crucial questions;

1. Can one vote “Independent” and not spilt the vote and allow the NDP to come up the middle and win the election?
2. Should one vote for Independents?
3. Can an Independent effectively represent their riding in a system dominated by party politics?

The answers to these three important questions in Part 2 tomorrow.

Voting is important and remember, the world is run by those who show up.  Although I can say who I will vote for and why, your choice is up to you.  The important part is that you exercise that right and choice and vote for the candidate who you expect to best represent you.

Oct 19^th is election day.  Advance voting will be open from October 10^th to 16^th, with voting locations closed on October 14^th on Thanksgiving Day. Residents can vote by mail and have until October 13^th to request a package online or by phone, and voter registration is open online, in person, and over the phone until October 19^th. 

Get out and vote.

Evan Saugstad, back writing after a summer of gardening, golfing, hunting and wandering our countryside.