Former B.C. Minister Mike de Jong to Run as Independent in Federal Election

Veteran British Columbia politician Mike de Jong has announced he will run as an independent candidate in the upcoming federal election, after being unexpectedly rejected by the Conservative Party of Canada.

De Jong, a long-serving MLA with over 30 years of political experience, expressed frustration with the party’s decision to block his nomination in the Abbotsford-South Langley riding. “This isn’t the campaign I expected to run,” de Jong stated on his website. “But when Ottawa insiders shut me out of the Conservative nomination, I knew I couldn’t stay silent. I’m running to give this community back its voice.”

The former B.C. Liberal (now B.C. United) party member, who previously held key cabinet positions including finance and forestry minister, says thousands of people had expressed support for his potential candidacy. He describes the Conservative Party’s rejection as “bizarre,” though the specific reasons behind the decision remain unclear.

The Conservative Party has not publicly explained why de Jong was denied the nomination. When contacted by CBC News, the party had not immediately responded to requests for comment.

Sukhman Singh Gill remains the official Conservative candidate for the riding. Gill, a local farmer born in Abbotsford and raised on his family’s blueberry farm in the Township of Langley, has emphasized his deep community connections.

De Jong’s decision to run as an independent follows a distinguished provincial political career during which he served in multiple prominent roles, including government House leader. His entry into the federal race as an independent candidate adds an unexpected twist to the upcoming election in the Abbotsford-South Langley riding.

The political landscape continues to evolve as de Jong prepares to challenge the established party candidates, promising to bring what he describes as an unfiltered voice to the electoral process.