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 B.C. Liberals in Cadieux’s current constituency.
The announcement came Wednesday afternoon at The Leader’s press time during 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 B.C. 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 a B.C. Liberal candidate in his riding.
Cadieux, who is Children and Family Development Minister, said 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 or 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 B.C. Liberals.
“Dhaliwal has certainly worked hard for Surrey (federally) and I believe he will work hard to earn the vote in Surrey-Panorama.”
Delta Coun. Sylvia Bishop is also throwing her hat into the ring of provincial politics. Bishop announced Wednesday she will seek the NDP nomination for Delta-North.
Last week, current MLA Guy Gentner announced he will be retiring from politics. The 57-year-old has held the riding since May 17, 2005.
Bishop was first elected to Delta council in November of last year.
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