B.C. Liberals announce Bell’s replacement, former MP wins Conservative nod

VANCOUVER – The B.C. Liberal replacement for veteran cabinet minister Pat Bell has been acclaimed in the Prince George-Mackenzie riding.

Former Liberal constituency president, and retired RCMP superintendent Mike Morris is the only person to seek the nomination after Bell suddenly announced last month that health problems prevent him from running in the May 14 provincial election.

Further south, in the Metro Vancouver riding of Surrey-Panorama, 23-year Surrey councillor Marvin Hunt will carry the Liberal banner, filling the hole left by high profile candidate Sukh Dhaliwal, who resigned in early February to deal with tax charges.

Meanwhile, the B.C. Conservative party has enticed a former member of parliament out of retirement to run in the upcoming provincial vote.

Retired four-term MP Paul Forseth will represent the New Westminster riding for the Conservatives.

Forseth was first elected to parliament in 1993 with the Reform party and also represented the Canadian Alliance and Conservative parties in consecutive federal victories in 1997, 2000, and 2004.