It's official - Prince George city councillor and businessman Cameron Stolz confirmed Thursday he's in the running to become the Conservative Party candidate in Prince George-Peace River.
Stolz made the announcement during a noon-hour speech before a small room full of supporters at the Coast Inn of the North.
In contrast to the three others - Bob Zimmer, Dan Davies and Don Irwin - also seeking to replace Jay Hill, who announced this week he's retiring from federal politics effective Oct. 25, Stolz is a newcomer to the Conservative Party.
While Zimmer, Davies and Irwin have all been executive members on the constituency association, Stolz became a card-carrying Conservative only a couple of months ago.
But Stolz maintained he's a good fit.
"I don't think there is anything more conservative than a small business owner, I mean, it's that basic, that fundamental," he said. "I'm very active in my church, I've been involved in my community. The fact that I haven't been an active part of the executive of the Conservative Party for this riding I don't think plays a major part in that."
Stolz emphasized his involvement in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, where his sits on two committees - finance and inter-governmental arrangement and municipal infrastructure and transportation.
"I've got some great experience and knowledge on a national basis, I understand the challenges across Canada," he said.
A date for selecting a candidate is still to be set. Stolz said he'll concentrate on signing up as many supporters as he can until that vote is held.
Prince George-Peace River is one of the largest ridings in Canada and there's a distinct divide at the Pine Pass between northeast B.C. and the southern half of the riding both geographically and economically.
Stolz said the prime issues for him are job creation in the Prince George area and finding ways to make the Peace an attractive place to live. "How do we attract people to migrate in and not just live in camps or hotels while they're working," he said. "How do we actually get their families to relocate."
If he wins the candidacy, Stolz said he'll take a leave of absence from council once the by-election or a general election is called and if he is elected Member of Parliament, he'll step down.
Whether a municipal by-election will have to be held depends on the timing, according to Stolz. If he's elected in the last year of this council's three-year term, Stolz said council has the option of waiting until the general civic elections in November 2011 to fill the vacancy.
A municipal by-election costs about $50,000 to hold.
- In Tuesday's story "Councillor eyeing MP nomination", The Citizen reported a by election to replace Hill must be held on a Saturday 80 days after the appointment of a chief election officer, who must be appointed within a "reasonable time."
Those rules apply to municipal by-elections.
The federal rules are Hill's resignation will prompt the Speaker of the House to deliver a warrant to the chief electoral officer of Canada saying the seat is vacant.
Upon receiving the warrant, according to Elections Canada, "at least 11 days and no more than 180 days must pass ... before a by-election is called."
That means, if Hill resigns on Oct. 25, the earliest a by-election can be called is Nov. 5 and the latest is April 25.
The date of the by-election must be 36 days after it is called and it must be held on a Monday.
The Citizen apologizes for the error.
