(UPDATE) Local Conservative association prepares to support new candidate selection with AGM

Updated, March 29th, 1 p.m.: This story was updated to remove errors. Energeticcity.ca is happy to set the record straight.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A local Conservative organization is preparing to help nominate a new candidate for the Peace River North riding with its annual general meeting (AGM). 

The B.C. Conservative Peace River North Riding Association will be hosting the open AGM on April 11th, 2026.

The AGM will provide an opportunity for members of the Conservative Party of B.C. to vote on solidifying the existing board of the association or elect new members to the board, which currently has 11 people.

When the time comes to present a new MLA candidate for the 2028 provincial election, the association, along with the Conservative Party of B.C., will vet the options.

Once the contenders have been properly vetted, members will make the final decision in an election. 

Kevin Hrab is the president of the Peace River North Riding Association. 

“We’re here to provide support for the process of nominating a new MLA candidate,” Hrab told Energeticcity.ca. 

Jordan Kealy was elected to represent the riding on October 19th, 2024 as a Conservative. He later left the Conservative Party to sit as an independent in March 2025 amid a row with then-party leader John Rustad. 

Hrab said Kealy’s decision to leave the party has left the region without equal representation.

“We struggle for representation in the official opposition,” said Hrab. “I know Jordan believes he does have the ear of the Conservative Party, but he has burned a lot of bridges as well.”

In a conversation with Energeticcity.ca, Kealy says a number of reasons factored into his departure.

“The reason that I ended up leaving that party is because it wasn’t representing the way that they originally promised. The way that the leader promised,” Kealy said. “If they aren’t going to stay to account of their policies and treat their members properly, then I will have to focus on being a strong leader for my community myself.”

He added: “When it comes to who’s elected as the new MLA in the next election, that’s up to the constituents of this region.”

Anyone can attend the open AGM on April 11th at the Royal Canadian Legion. Registration for current members will open at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting will start at 6 p.m. Attendees must have been party members for 21 days to vote. 

Memberships can be purchased on the Conservative Party of B.C. website.