Abbotsford MLA Mike de Jong bolts provincial politics to run for federal Conservatives

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ABBOTSFORD — Seasoned British Columbia politician Mike de Jong announced this past week that he is seeking the nomination to represent the Conservative Party of Canada in the Abbotsford-South Langley riding.

De Jong, who was first elected as a B.C. Liberal in a Fraser Valley byelection in 1994, told The Canadian Press in February 2024 that the time had come to leave the provincial legislature.

If de Jong stays in the race as his own website seems to indicate, he could be competing with other CPC candidates like Mike Murray and Steve Schaefer in the Abbotsford-South Langley riding.

De Jong, who’s 61, served eight terms as a member of the B.C. legislature. He continues to serve his Abbotsford West riding as a member of the Opposition BC United for the spring legislative session but opted not to run in the upcoming fall election.

De Jong held several cabinet posts in successive B.C. Liberal governments, including finance, attorney general, Aboriginal relations and reconciliation, labour and forests, and served as government house leader.

“After 30 years, there’s an element of wanting to take a little bit more time,” he said at a news conference in February 2024. “It’s a big decision (running federally) and an important one, and I’ll take some time to consider what that may look like.”

A biography of de Jong on his personal website touted his fiscally conservative approach to governing while he was finance minister of British Columbia, which previously held sterling AAA credit ratings under the former B.C. Liberals. The current B.C. NDP government has seen its credit rating downgraded.

“During his tenure as Finance Minister, Mike was instrumental in delivering balanced budgets, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to conservative fiscal principles,” de Jong wrote on his own personal website. “Under his stewardship, the province saw a reduction in public debt and an increase in economic stability, setting a strong foundation for growth and investment. Mike’s conservative fiscal track record is a testament to his ability to manage public finances with prudence and foresight.”

The next federal election will be held in 2025. The Conservative Party headed up by Pierre Poilievre is leading Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party by double digits in poll after poll.