B.C. Liberal leadership candidate Andrew Wilkinson says he will establish an office for the premier and cabinet in Prince George if he emerges as head of the next provincial government.
"Prince George is British Columbia's northern hub - the centre of economic activity, education, health care, and government services for hundreds of thousands of residents," Wilkinson said in a statement issued Friday.
"Too often, decisions on the future prosperity of northern B.C. are made in Victoria. It's time to change that."
On Thursday, leadership contender Mike de Jong said he would move the forests and lands ministry headquarters to Prince George and, in response, Dianne Watts said she would like to see a Prince George MLA be the minister for that portfolio.
Wilkinson's idea won support from Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris.
"Northerners deserve better access to their premier and government ministers," Morris said in the statement.
"By taking the step of creating a northern premier and cabinet office in Prince George, we can improve access to make life better for people across British Columbia.
Vacant government offices could be converted for the use with video-conferencing services would allow representatives to stay connected with Victoria while remaining in their constituencies to reduce travel costs, according to Wilkinson's plan.
Cabinet meetings have been held in Prince George in the past.
Wilkinson also spoke out against the "NDP's stealth plan" to introduced proportional representation to the province saying it would "effectively silence voters anywhere north of Metro Vancouver."
Candidate Todd Stone has taken a similar stand on the "NDP's unfair and self-serving plans for a referendum on electoral reform."
"John Horgan and the NDP have changed the rules to shut out the voice of rural BC in one of the most fundamental elements of our democracy, and I will not stand by and let them do it," he continued in a statement.
Watts has also spoke out against the move.
Candidates will be in Prince George on Saturday for a debate. It's open to the public, free of charge, and will be held at the Coast Inn of the North, 10:30 a.m. start.
