Surrey-Panorama MLA Stephanie Cadieux will switch ridings to run for Surrey-Cloverdale – where she lives – in the next provincial election in May, while former Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal will join the race for the BC Liberals in Cadieux’s current constituency.
The announcement came Wednesday afternoon at Peace Arch News press time at a media event at Sunrise Golf and Raquet Club.
Dhaliwal, who has lived in Surrey-Panorama since 1997, served as Newton-North Delta MP from 2006 to 2011.
“British Columbia is at a crucial point in history, and the BC Liberals are the best option for our province’s economy,” Dhaliwal said, in a statement released with the announcement.
“Offering families low taxes, a clear plan for growth and the fiscal capacity for strong systems of support are values that I firmly believe in.”
Surrey-White Rock MLA Gordon Hogg was acclaimed last week as BC Liberal candidate in his riding.
Cadieux, who is Children and Family Development Minister, told PAN just before the official announcement that she has been “honoured” to serve constituents in Surrey-Panorama, but that it seemed logical to seek the nomination in Surrey-Cloverdale when she learned current MLA Kevin Falcon was retiring.
“For me, personally, it makes more sense to offer myself to represent constituents in the riding in which I live.”
Cadieux noted, however, she does not feel that where she lives made a difference to her commitment to the residents of Surrey-Panorama and that her work in the riding does not stop with the announcement.
“I will continue to do that wholeheartedly until the election is called, and I’m looking forward to working hard in Surrey-Cloverdale to earn the constituents’ vote in the election in May,” she said.
Cadieux said it also made sense for Dhaliwal to have sought the nomination in his home riding, once he stepped forward for the BC Liberals.
“Dhaliwal has certainly worked hard for Surrey (federally) and I believe he will work hard to earn the vote in Surrey-Panorama.”
Amrik Mahil, NDP candidate for Surrey-Panorama, told PAN he looks forward to facing Dhaliwal at the hustings for what he predicted will be a “hotly-contested seat.”
“It’s going to be a good contest and it’s going to be hard fought,” he said, adding “it’s time for a change” in what was formerly partially an NDP riding with MLA Jagrup Brar.
He said he is concerned that no Surrey Liberal MLAs have mentioned a proposal, previously announced by deputy premier Falcon, to sell land in the constituency earmarked for hospital development.
“With the growth in Surrey we do need hospitals. That land is a big asset for B.C. and I’d like to see it doesn’t get sold,” he said.