Prince George-Valemount Conservative candidate Nathan Giede plans to preach low taxes when he hits the campaign trail later this week.
The 23-year-old Prince George product is finishing up his final year of studies in political science at Trinity Western University in Langley and secured the Conservative nomination for his hometown riding on Wednesday.
"I love northern B.C., I'm from northern B.C., I've lived in Prince George almost my whole life," he said in a phone interview. "I've seen the news and I've seen the budget the Liberals have tabled and I don't want to see taxes go up. I want to see more focus on the north from a party that actually cares about people north of Hope."
A 2008 graduate of Duchess Park, Giede was born in Sasktoon but moved to Prince George as a child. He's writing is final fourth-year exam on Thursday and will begin campaigning in earnest on Friday.
"I'm coming in a little late - but I'm very excited to come up north as soon as I can," he said.
Giede is the third entrant into the race and will face Liberal incumbent Shirley Bond and NDP challenger Sherry Ogasawara. The Green party has yet to announce its candidate, but one is expected before nominations close on April 26.
With less than four weeks to go before the May 14 election, Giede is confident he can muster up enough support to become the first candidate from a party other than the Liberals or NDP to represent the region since Bruce Strachan won for Social Credit in 1986.
"I think I stand a very good chance," he said. "I think a lot of people are very dissatisfied with the Liberals, with the budgets, with the overspending."
He joined the Conservative party because he appreciates the experience leader John Cummins has from his time as an MP as well as the party's platform, which includes the abolition of the carbon tax, investments in northern infrastructure and skills training.
"Making sure that our highways in the north are safe and well put together as well as making sure people have the opportunity to participate in mining and forestry and other industries in northern B.C., with the skills they need from colleges out there," he said. "That would be a huge benefit to the north."
