Re-elected Prince George-Mackenzie MLA says UHNBC acute care tower is his top priority
Kiel Giddens won his second term on 24 October 2026 with 9,926 votes. He told the Prince George Citizen that keeping the University Hospital of Northern BC expansion on time and on budget is what he will push for first in Victoria.
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Kiel Giddens, the re-elected Conservative MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie, told the Prince George Citizen on 30 October 2026 that his top priority as he returns to Victoria is keeping the acute care tower expansion at the University Hospital of Northern BC on time and on budget.
Giddens earned 9,926 votes in the 24 October 2026 provincial election, representing 66.11 per cent of ballots cast in Prince George-Mackenzie. He was first elected in 2024. He defeated BC NDP candidate Ian McMahon, who received 3,532 votes, and Green Party of BC candidate Teri Young, who received 1,517 votes, according to the Elections BC initial count.
Giddens told supporters at the Prince George Ramada on election night that the result marked a Conservative majority government for the first time in 98 years. "We have witnessed a Conservative majority government, something that defied all odds. It's been 98 years since that happened in the province of British Columbia," he said, according to the Citizen.
Health care
Giddens told the Citizen that the UHNBC acute care tower expansion is the first item on his agenda. He said he wants to make sure the project finishes on schedule and within budget. The Citizen did not report the project's current cost estimate or completion timeline.
Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson is from Williams Lake. Giddens told the Citizen he sees Doerkson's location, farther north than past premiers, as an opportunity for the Prince George region to be present in provincial decision-making.
Forestry and resources
Giddens told the Citizen the forest sector in northern BC is in difficulty. He named keeping chipping operations running as a priority so the Intercontinental Pulp Mill in Prince George can remain open. He said he also wants to support mining and oil and gas development across the north.
"Our forest sector is struggling," he told the Citizen. "We need to do whatever we can to fight for forestry jobs and give opportunity to the new engines of our economy, which will also be in mining and oil and gas."
Residents of Prince George-Mackenzie can follow what Giddens does in the legislature at /bc/provincial-2026/candidates/kiel-giddens. People who use UHNBC can follow the hospital expansion's progress through Northern Health's own project updates.
Questions this story answers
What is Kiel Giddens' top priority for his second term?
Giddens told the Prince George Citizen on October 30 that his top priority is ensuring the acute care tower expansion at the University Hospital of Northern BC stays on time and on budget. The Prince George Citizen did not report the project's current cost estimate or scheduled completion date. Giddens named this as his own forward-looking goal, not a specific government commitment that has been announced.
What are Giddens' other priorities for Prince George-Mackenzie?
Giddens told the Citizen he wants to fight for forestry jobs, with a focus on keeping chipping operations running so the Intercontinental Pulp Mill in Prince George remains open. He also said he wants to support mining and oil and gas development as additional economic drivers for the north. He said he wants to support family-run businesses in the region.
What were Kiel Giddens' election results on October 24?
Giddens won re-election in Prince George-Mackenzie on 24 October 2026 with 9,926 votes, representing 66.11 per cent of ballots cast. He defeated BC NDP candidate Ian McMahon, who received 3,532 votes, and Green Party candidate Teri Young, who received 1,517 votes. Giddens was first elected in 2024.
What districts does Prince George-Mackenzie cover?
According to the Prince George Citizen, Prince George-Mackenzie covers much of the northern and western parts of the City of Prince George. It extends north through Salmon Valley, Bear Lake, McLeod Lake, Mackenzie and a portion of Williston Lake.
What did Giddens say about premier-designate Lorne Doerkson?
Giddens told the Citizen that having Doerkson, who is from Williams Lake, as premier-designate represents an opportunity for the Prince George region to be at the forefront of provincial decision-making. He said Doerkson had served as a voice of sober second thought in the caucus since the last election and had mentored many MLAs.
What is the UHNBC acute care tower expansion?
UHNBC stands for the University Hospital of Northern BC, located in Prince George. The Prince George Citizen reported that Giddens named the acute care tower expansion as his top priority. The article did not include details on the project's cost, timeline or current construction status. Giddens said he wants it to finish on time and on budget.
What is the Conservative government's platform promise on health care in northern BC?
The Conservative Party's platform commits to keeping emergency rooms open and reducing surgery wait times across BC. The platform does not name the UHNBC expansion specifically. Giddens named the UHNBC tower as his own priority as a local MLA. BC residents can follow the government's health care commitments at /bc/provincial-2026/tracker.
When will Giddens and the Conservative government be sworn in?
Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson has not announced a swearing-in date. CTV News has not yet reported the swearing-in as of October 30, 2026. Giddens is described as MLA-elect until the new government is sworn in.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
- Prince George Citizen (by Colin Slark): Acute care tower top post-election priority for Giddensprincegeorgecitizen.com
- Elections BC: Initial count, BC General Election October 24, 2026results.elections.bc.ca
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