FORT ST. JOHN -- Jordan Kealy has made a clear and bold statement: “I am the one and only candidate for the Conservative Party of British Columbia.”

Kealy is challenging the ‘experienced conservative leadership’ billed by incumbent Dan Davies in the riding of Peace River North.

As a farmer and PRRD director, Kealy is building off his party’s momentum and sharing his views on the issues impacting the region.

Addressing long-standing healthcare issues, Kealy says that many of the region’s problems have been developing over the past 20 years without a strategic approach. He believes that a fresh perspective is needed to tackle the issues.

Kealy is advocating for a thorough review of regional health authorities and pushing for an external audit of Northern Health.

“Each region is different, each one has its own needs, and each one has its own deficiencies,” said Kealy in an interview with CJDC-TV.

The candidate, looking to support local governments in their efforts to shore up healthcare staffing and proposes the use of provincial grants to aid these initiatives.

Additionally, he suggests utilizing private clinics to alleviate pressure on the public healthcare system, ensuring that patients receive timely care.

“It's not like the privatized system that you that you see in the U.S. that sometimes people get confused with, this is just to alleviate pressures off of our public system, to be able to try and implement the fixes that we need to do.”

On crime, Kealy is committed to making people feel safe and protected by targeting prolific offenders and ending the “revolving door” of the justice system by supporting the court system, while also advocating for treatment options for those suffering from mental health and addiction issues.

"We need to be able to offer them treatment, so then they can get through treatment, become a regular functioning citizen again, and not be surrounded by a smorgasbord of drugs.”

On the topic of SOGI 123 teaching materials, Kealy believes in teaching students 'how' to learn rather than dictating 'what' they should learn.

"Focusing on the basic educations that the children need and not throwing extra things at them to confuse them,” he said.

He calls for an end to what he describes as “ideologies” in the classroom and supports tougher anti-bullying measures.

Kealy also emphasizes the importance of supporting LGBTQ2+ students through local initiatives, ensuring they have access to necessary resources outside of school.

“Those societies are still there outside of school, that if kids need resources, then they can talk to their parents and they can also talk to those societies to be able to work towards what might fit in their life.”

Having pursued a career as a millwright, Kealy shared his passion for protecting the resource sector.

"We need to be able to revitalize our industries again to be able to get ourselves back on track.”

He and the BC Conservatives aim to streamline the permitting process while respecting Indigenous self-determination.

“We do not need to have a bureaucracy in place that makes things difficult, and we don't want people in any way to turn around and blame First Nations.”

Kealy says the Conservative plan is one that will use revenue generated from revitalized industries to lower taxes and alleviate inflationary pressures on seniors.

“We do not want seniors to be in a scenario where they have to choose between keeping the lights on or being able to eat."

Kealy also pushes for more seniors housing, 24-hour , and palliative care housing.

With his experience in local government, Jordan Kealy promises to fight for his constituents on the provincial stage, bringing a fresh perspective and strategic approach to the issues facing Peace River North.

In a recent biography published to Facebook, Kealy adds he has lived in the region for over 20 years with his wife Karen. He has been actively involved in the local community, including serving as the President of The Fort St. John Farmers Market.

His entry into politics was driven by personal loss during the pandemic and a desire to improve the healthcare system.

Leading up to the October 19th election, CJDC-TV will have on-going coverage of the candidates running for office in Northeast B.C.