Prince George-Peace River will be in the care of the federal Conservative whip until a new MP is elected.
Gordon O'Connor, who is the MP for the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton-Mississippi Mills, took over constituency services with the retirement of MP Jay Hill on Oct. 25, according to a letter sent out to constituents by O'Connor's office.
Prince George-Peace River's Fort St. John office was closed and staff at the Prince George office at 7th Avenue near Vancouver Street are working with constituents on a by-appointment basis. The phone number remains the same at 250-561-7922.
About 106,000 people live in the riding, which covers 237,174 square kilometres.
So far, only the NDP has selected a candidate to run in Prince George-Peace River as school board trustee and former provincial MLA Lois Boone was chosen by acclamation in late November.
Six people have announced their intention to seek the Conservative candidacy but a formal 28-day nomination process has not yet been declared.
Those who've put their names forward are former Prince George mayor Colin Kinsley, Prince George city councillor and businessman Cameron Stolz, Fort St. John high school teacher Bob Zimmer, Fort St. John elementary school teacher Dan Davies, Fort St. John Christian school principal Don Irwin and Tumbler Ridge councillor Jerrilyn Schembri.
An MP must be in place by April 23 but there is speculation a general election will be called in February which would negate the need for a by-election.
