Long-serving B.C. MP Ed Fast endorses Independent candidate Mike de Jong

Conservative MP Ed Fast speaks during a news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Monday, March 6, 2023. (Justin Tang / The Canadian Press)

Longtime Conservative member of Parliament Ed Fast, who is not seeking re-election, is endorsing Independent candidate Mike de Jong as his successor in the riding of Abbotsford—South Langley.

Fast says in a statement that “democracy lost out” when the Conservatives chose Sukhman Gill, a 25-year-old blueberry farmer and businessman, as their candidate instead of de Jong.

De Jong — who won eight terms in the B.C. legislature and held cabinet posts, including finance and forestry — announced last month that he would be running as an Independent in the riding after the Conservative Party of Canada disqualified him as a candidate.

Fast says in the statement that he asked Conservative Party officials to begin “an open and fair process” to choose a replacement for his riding of Abbotsford-South Langley.

He says his party “disqualified the most qualified candidate,” adding that de Jong supports such conservative policies as reducing taxes, getting tough on violent criminals and rebuilding the military.

Fast says in light of the damage caused by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, his community needs a “tested and proven leader, not an inexperienced, unqualified Johnnie-come-lately.”

Fast says that while some may worry about splitting the vote, he’s not concerned.

“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 says in the statement.

“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.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 15, 2025.