Independent Abbotsford-South Langley candidate Mike de Jong has received the endorsement of outgoing Conservative MP Ed Fast.
The veteran politician encouraged voters to support De Jong, who many had expected would replace him as the Conservative representative in the riding.
"Today, I'm announcing my support for Mike de Jong in the upcoming federal election," Fast wrote in a statement. "Over a year ago, I announced that I would be stepping down as MP and asked Conservative Party officials to begin 'an open and fair process' to choose a replacement for our new riding of Abbotsford-South Langley. Sadly, that process was far from open and fair."
He went on to suggest that instead, "democracy lost out" and "party insiders conspired to manipulate the process" by disqualifying De Jong and ensuring 25-year-old farmer Sukhman Singh Gill won the nomination.
"After 10 lost years of economic decline and a fading Canadian dream, Canada desperately needs change," Fast continued. "And that change is a strong Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre. However, abandoning our grassroots conservative principles and allowing faceless party officials to recklessly push their friends and insiders into positions of power is not the way to do it."
Some have warned that De Jong's popularity could "split the vote" in the riding. Fast addressed those concerns, urging residents to vote on principle rather than "out of fear."
"If every person worried about the future of our country puts faith in our country ahead of fear, Mike wins," he added. "Abbotsford wins; and democracy wins!"
Fast cited De Jong's long career in public service, which began when he served as a trustee for School District 34. In the 1994 by-election, he ran for the BC Liberals and dethroned the Social Credit Party candidate, whose party had held the riding for 42 years. Over the following decades, De Jong held numerous cabinet positions, including minister of health, and minister of finance.
"I'm confident that Mike has the resources and large team behind him to ensure that we elect this highly experienced friend of our community," Fast concluded. "I respectfully ask you, the voters of Abbotsford-South Langley, to vote for our independent conservative candidate, Mike de Jong, to be our next Member of Parliament."
