Prince George Conservative candidates open joint campaign office

“This is a place for community members to gather, for campaign energy to happen,” Giddens said.

He said supporters can sign up as volunteers, pick up lawn signs or meet with him at the office, while campaign workers use the location to organize their efforts.

“Campaigns are a big endeavor, and this is a big part of where that magic happens,” he said.

Giddens said he has already been knocking on doors and is hearing frustration from voters.

He said some residents object to the timing of the provincial election, while others are raising concerns about health care, employment and provincial government policies affecting the region.

“They’re upset that they’ve called this election a cynical election in the middle of the municipal campaign,” Giddens said. “They’re also upset with an NDP government that’s just simply not listening.”

The provincial election is scheduled for Oct. 24.

Giddens pointed specifically to access to health care and jobs at Northwood as issues he is hearing about on the doorstep, maintaining voters in the region want a change in government.

He also said he believes there is renewed momentum behind the provincial Conservative movement after a turbulent period for the party.

Giddens described political parties as being built around people volunteering and becoming involved, saying he sees an opportunity for voters on the political centre-right to come together behind the Conservatives.

“We need to just continue to demonstrate that we can be the next government of British Columbia,” he said.

Bird said the joint office will act as the operational hub for both campaigns.

She said it will be staffed from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., with campaign literature and phone operations based there. The office will also accept donations and memberships, register volunteers and distribute lawn signs.

“It’s just basically our operations hub,” Bird said. “And it’s a location where people can come.”

Bird said she and Giddens will be at the office intermittently to answer questions from voters about party policies and campaign announcements.

She also used the opening to praise interim Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson.

Doerkson took over the party leadership following the resignation of Kerry-Lynne Findlay in September and is leading the Conservatives into the snap election.

Bird described Doerkson as someone who has the ability to unite the party.

“One of his greatest gifts is being able to bring people together,” Bird said.

Her support for Doerkson comes following a period of political upheaval for Bird herself. She had left the Conservative Party in August and later joined CentreBC before returning to the Conservatives shortly after the snap election was called. At the time, Bird said Doerkson’s leadership was an important factor in her decision to return.

As for what she is hearing from constituents, Bird said many of the concerns are familiar from the previous provincial election.

“Most of the things people are asking for are the same things we heard last election, quite frankly,” she said.

Bird pointed to health care, education, First Nations issues and property rights, arguing those areas have not improved under the provincial government.

“There’s not a lot of positive change that people have seen the last year and a half,” she said.

Those comments represent Bird’s assessment of the government’s record.

The office opening gives the two Conservative campaigns a shared base as they attempt to hold their Prince George seats.

Elections BC’s candidate list confirms Giddens is on the ballot in Prince George-Mackenzie, while reporting on the start of the campaign confirms Bird returned to the Conservative Party to seek re-election in Prince George-Valemount.

For Giddens and Bird, however, the immediate focus is on the work between now and election day: recruiting volunteers, getting campaign material into voters’ hands and using their new headquarters as a central gathering point for supporters.

And despite the unfinished surroundings, the campaign operation is now open for business.

by Cheryl Jahn

Prince George Conservative candidates open joint campaign office

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