Former Maple Ridge mayor Mike Morden has announced he will run for the Conservative Party of BC in this fall's provincial election.
On the same day NDP MLA Lisa Beare announced she will seek re-election in the riding of Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows, she learned that the longtime local politician will be running against her.
Morden was mayor from 2018 until 2022, when he lost the local election to Mayor Dan Ruimy. Prior to that he served two earlier terms as a city councillor.
Morden has lived in Maple Ridge for 38 years, and ran a security business. He and wife Hilary have two children, and grandchildren.
He said the high cost of housing and affordability are issues that have hit home for him, as his family members now number among the thousands leaving the province to buy a house. According to Statistics Canada, 68,000 left B.C. in 2023, and about 38,000 moved to Alberta.
"The reality is, they can't afford it here," Morden said.
He asserts that "core fundamentals" provided by government, such as housing, health care, addiction services, and public safety, all need to be improved.
“Now, more than ever, our province desperately needs change," he said. "Communities are under siege with crime and street disorder, and people struggle to access the help they need. Senior government policies are failing everywhere. Local governments get so many problems dumped on them; this heavy-handed approach is not working to solve anything. The social safety net is failing, and no one can get the help they need, particularly access to healthcare."
Morden stood behind his record as mayor, saying his council brought in community safety officers, The Hub to offer showers and services to the street population, and other programs to deal with issues around homelessness and addiction.
Now his goal is to "level up" as an elected official, to deal with issues from a senior government perspective.
"I'm going to take a shot at this, because I think it's the right thing to do," said Morden. "We've got lots of challenges here."
Morden said he chose the Conservative party because their views on lowering taxes and letting the private sector run the economy align with his own philosophy.
“Mike’s experience as Mayor of Maple Ridge will be a great asset to our team and the province,” said Conservative leader John Rustad. “His understanding of municipal needs and his advocacy for better government will make him a terrific MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows.”
His public service includes serving on the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce, with the Salvation Army, and with the Haney Rotary Club.