The time to run is now
Anyone interested in running as a candidate in the upcoming provincial election has until May 4 to get their nomination papers in to the district electoral office in Prince Rupert.
Pretty much any Canadian citizen over 18 years old can run, as long as they shell out $100 and get 25 people to nominate them. (Candidates must also have lived in BC for at least six months and not be disqualified from voting.)
If you're thinking of running, says deputy district electoral office Doug Kydd, the first step is to call the district office in Prince Rupert at 250-624-7700. They can send you a candidate's kit with everything you need to know, as well as a voters' list.
So far, Mr. Kydd said, the local office is not aware of any candidates running in this electoral district. (By the way, Mr. Kydd also informed us that the word "riding" is obsolete. The correct term is "electoral district".) However, candidates often file in Victoria and it could be that the local office simply hasn't received the paperwork yet.
Although they may not have filed the official paperwork, at least two candidates have declared they will be running: incumbent Bill Belsey for the Liberal Party and Gary Coons for the NDP. Both are residents of Prince Rupert.