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‘We will form a new party’: Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy after Dallas Brodie’s removal over residential school remarks

Conservative Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy has said he will “form a new [political] party” after “defending” a fellow MLA who was removed from the group for “mocking” residential school victims. 

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MLA Jordan Kealy. (Jordan Kealy, Facebook)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Conservative Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy has said he “will form a new [political] party” after “defending” a fellow MLA who was removed from the group for “mocking” residential school victims. 

On March 7th, BC Conservative Party leader John Rustad announced Dallas Brodie, the MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena, has been removed from the caucus for comments made during a video podcast appearance

Rustad described Brodie as “mocking” the testimony of former residential school students while using a childlike voice.

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Rustad said: “MLA Brodie is not welcome to return to our Conservative Party of BC Caucus.

“I believe strongly in free speech, however, using your stature and platform as an MLA to mock testimony from victims alleging abuse, including child sex abuse, is where I draw the line.”

Under a statement about the controversy posted on his Facebook page on March 7th, Kealy replied to a comment asking if he would sit as an independent with: “No we will form a new party with real Conservative standards.”

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Kealy told Energeticcity.ca he “defended” Brodie for allegedly “getting picked on.”

The statement on social media said he had “lost the faith” of his party and Rustad’s leadership. 

“Some of the worst bullies sit in the legislature, and the BC Conservatives are no exception,” Kealy alleged. 

Kealy claimed he experienced “major abuse” in the Legislative Assembly of B.C. 

“I stood up for a fellow MLA who was harassed for speaking the truth, only to become a target myself,” Kealy wrote.

“The party has created an environment where some so-called ‘Conservatives’ would rather throw cheap insults than deal with facts.

“There were no apologies, no accountability and I refuse to stand with those who either enable or ignore that kind of behaviour.”

When contacted by Energeticcity.ca, the Peace River North MLA claimed he had “done nothing wrong” but “they came after me next.”

“I’m a real Conservative, and I don’t believe anyone should be bullied — no matter their background, beliefs, race, sexual orientation or abilities. Bullies have no place in leadership. We should be fighting *for* each other, not *with* each other,” wrote Kealy in his statement.

The MLA added: “I’ve always fought for the people of Peace River North, and I’m not stopping now.

“I’ll be a champion for my community, with or without a party.

“And honestly, I think I can do that job a whole lot better without the toxic mess the BC Conservatives have become.

“My loyalty is to the people of Peace River North—not a party that’s lost its way.”

This comes after Kealy received backlash over a controversial tariffs vote.

Energeticcity.ca contacted Brodie and the BC Conservatives for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

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Authors
Max Bowder

Max is a new resident of Fort St. John and came from Burlington, Ontario, to serve as Energeticcity’s General Reporter.

He became interested in journalism after taking a media fundamentals program at Sheridan College, which led to a passion for writing and seeking the truth. 

A quote Max lives by is, “Don’t fear death, fear not living.”

He has been an avid volunteer traveller since he was 13, visiting countries such as Ghana, Argentina, Vietnam, and more. 

Max enjoys critically acclaimed movies and TV shows, as well as books, chess, poker, hiking and kayaking.

He is inspired by writers such as Ernest Hemingway, C.S. Lewis, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Hunter S. Thompson, Douglas Murray and Malcolm Gladwell.

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