By CKPG Today

Provincial politics

Coralee Oakes to run as an independent in provincial election

Sep 12, 2024 | 1:27 PM

QUESNEL — Long-time BC United MLA Coralee Oakes will run as an independent in Prince George-North Cariboo in the provincial election scheduled for October 19.

First elected as MLA in 2013, she suddenly found herself without a party following Kevin Falcon’s decision to fold BC United’s campaign last month. BC United has since announced it will run a limited number of candidates in the campaign, though those ridings haven’t been identified yet.

“Following the suspension of the BC United campaign, I’ve been listening closely to the concerns of my constituents, and the message is clear — many feel abandoned, with fewer options to represent their values. That’s why I’ve made the decision to remain on the ballot as an Independent candidate. My loyalty has always been to the people of this region, and that will never change,” Oakes said in a statement.

If elected as an independent, she says she would “be in a strong position to push for the priorities that matter to our region. Whether it’s ensuring better roads and infrastructure, supporting our natural resource sector, or advocating for better healthcare and mental health services, I’ll continue to fight for the people of Prince George-North Cariboo.”

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She adds that by running as an independent, “I’ll have the freedom to focus entirely on the needs of this region without being tied to a party platform.”

Oakes will be running against Conservative Party of BC candidate Sheldon Clare and Randy Thompson of the BC Greens. The NDP have yet to nominate a candidate in the riding.