langleywatchdog…. and more!

After backroom politics tried to shut him out, the people’s voice won out.

Well, it’s official. After weeks of speculation, hundreds of conversations, and a flood of support through this very site, we’re thrilled to report: Mike de Jong is running. As an independent!

Let’s be honest—this should have never been necessary.

Mike de Jong has been a pillar of conservative leadership in this community for more than three decades. He’s won elections. Balanced budgets. Fought for taxpayers. And unlike most career politicians, Mike actually shows up, listens, and does the work.

But when Mike put his name forward to run for the Conservative nomination in Abbotsford–South Langley, the party brass in Ottawa shut the door. No explanation. No transparency. No respect.

It was a slap in the face to every grassroots member in this riding—and it triggered a wave of backlash we haven’t seen in a long time.

That’s why we launched a petition right here at www.langleywatchdog.com . Thousands of people visited the site, and the petition was overwhelmed with signatures, shares, and support. Mike was flooded with messages of encouragement from across the riding. It became clear: the community wasn’t ready to let this go — and neither was Mike.

Now, Mike is stepping forward—not with a party label, but with his name, his values, and his record.

“This isn’t the path I expected to take,” Mike said in his announcement, “but I can’t walk away while local democracy gets steamrolled. I’m running to give this community the choice it was denied.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Let’s be clear: the CPC candidate was handpicked by party brass in Ottawa and forced onto the ballot against the will of the local riding association and grassroots Conservatives. He’s young, inexperienced, and would have struggled to survive a real nomination contest—which is exactly why the party shut it down. It’s not just disrespectful. It’s anti-democratic.

Mike de Jong is the only candidate in this race with the experience, judgment, and credibility to represent Abbotsford–South Langley in Ottawa. He didn’t walk away from the Conservative Party—the party walked away from the people.

Mike is running to put the focus back where it belongs: on serving the community, not the party.

So, what now?

Now we get to work.

Spread the word! Knock on doors! Order a Sign! Share the news with your neighbors! Remind people that they have a real choice, a candidate who’s independent in name, but conservative in values and action.

This isn’t a protest campaign.

It’s a leadership campaign.

And this time, we’re not asking permission from Ottawa.

If you live in the Abbotsford South-Langley Constituency and can place a campaign sign on your property

Go to www.mikedejong.ca

We’ll keep covering the campaign closely. Visit MikedeJong.ca to volunteer, donate, order a sign and show your support.

LET’S FINISH WHAT WE STARTED!

RG

Protect your Democratic Rights – Protect your NEIGHBORS Democratic Rights – stay informed, stay involved and VOTE!!!

I am working on future posts that I believe are of significant concern to Township of Langley Residents, come back often for news of interest to Township residents.

Share this BLOG; forward it to your friends, neighbors, and relatives! To comment on this post – Click on this Post, top left-hand corner under recent posts.

In a shocking and inexplicable move, the Conservative Party of Canada has disqualified one of British Columbia’s most experienced politicians, Mike de Jong, from seeking the party’s nomination in Abbotsford-South Langley. With over 30 years of public service, multiple high-level cabinet positions, and an unmatched record of experience, de Jong was unanimously endorsed by the local Electoral District Candidate Selection Committee. And yet, Ottawa shut him down.

What makes this decision even more outrageous is that the same local committee unanimously rejected the candidacy of Sukhman Singh Gill, a 24-year-old with no significant professional experience, and a questionable political history. And yet, Ottawa overturned the local decision and handed him the nomination; despite the fact Mike de Jong ran his campaign for a year, garnered over 2,000 members BUT was told 5 days before voting day he was being declared ineligible with no explanation – do you want to vote for your candidate or do you want to leave it to a political office 3,000 miles away?

A Rigged Process?

The stunning hypocrisy of the Conservative Party’s decision doesn’t stop there. Gill allegedly didn’t meet the six-month party membership requirement—a fundamental rule that should have disqualified him. But instead of being rejected, he was allegedly granted a waiver to run.

And it gets worse. Until January of this year, Gill’s own LinkedIn profile allegedly listed him as a Federal Liberal Party poll worker. That’s right—the man now representing the Conservative Party in Abbotsford-South Langley was, just months ago, working for the Liberals. How does this happen?

No Reasons Given—No Accountability

While bending the rules for a political neophyte, the party refused to provide any reason whatsoever for disqualifying de Jong. No explanation for why a seasoned legislator, skilled negotiator, and long-time public servant was deemed unworthy of the nomination. No clarity, no accountability, no respect for Conservative voters.

This is not democracy. This is party insiders playing kingmakers while shutting out the grassroots.

Grassroots Revolt: The Movement to Draft Mike de Jong is gaining significant steam encouraging Mike de Jong to run as an Independent!

This travesty has ignited a firestorm in Abbotsford-South Langley. A petition is circulating, and local supporters are demanding that de Jong run as an independent to ensure the riding has a competent, experienced leader representing them in Ottawa.

With tightening national polls, the Conservatives cannot afford a self-inflicted disaster like this. And yet, they have taken the most qualified, experienced candidate off the ballot in favor of someone with no credentials, no proven leadership, and a questionable political past.

If the Conservative Party thought this decision would go unnoticed, they were wrong. People are paying attention. The question now is, will the grassroots fight back? The following is being circulated:

PETITION: Draft Mike de Jong – We Need Strong, Experienced Leadership in Ottawa;

We need your help!!

Introduction:

The people of Abbotsford-South Langley deserve competent, experienced leadership—but the Conservative Party of Canada has denied us that opportunity. Mike de Jong, a 30-year veteran of public service, a skilled negotiator, and one of British Columbia’s most respected legislators, was blocked from running with no explanation. Instead, party insiders handed the nomination to an untested 24-year-old with any professional experience, and questionable political affiliations.

This is not democracy. This is a betrayal of the grassroots.

We, the undersigned, urge Mike de Jong to run—as an independent or by any means necessary—so that we have the choice of a capable, proven leader to represent us in Ottawa.

Why Mike de Jong?

✅ 30+ years of experience in public service

✅ Held multiple senior cabinet positions, including Minister of Finance, Health, and Attorney General

✅ Negotiated major international trade agreements

✅ Proven leadership in managing billion-dollar budgets

✅ Respected voice in provincial and federal politics

✅ Trusted and endorsed by the local Conservative riding association

Why This Petition?

The Abbotsford-South Langley Electoral District Association unanimously endorsed Mike de Jong as the best candidate to represent our community. Meanwhile, the party’s eventual nominee, Sukhman Gill, was unanimously rejected by the same local group. Gill was allegedly given a party membership waiver to run, due to allegedly not meeting the 6-month membership requirement. Until January, his LinkedIn profile listed him as a Federal Liberal Party poll worker.

The Conservative Party overruled local decision-making and denied members the opportunity to choose their own candidate. We deserve better.

What We’re Asking for:

By signing this petition, we are calling on Mike de Jong to run in the next federal election—so the people of Abbotsford-South Langley can choose a leader based on qualifications, not party games.

Sign this petition – Show your support for Mike de Jong and demand strong, experienced representation in Ottawa! Go to the following link to sign the petition

https://forms.gle/avTkmkfecGAipaiF8

RG

Protect your Democratic Rights – Protect your NEIGHBORS Democratic Rights – stay informed, stay involved and VOTE!!!

I am working on future posts that I believe are of significant concern to Township of Langley Residents, come back often for news of interest to Township residents.

Share this BLOG; forward it to your friends, neighbors, and relatives! To comment on this post – Click on this Post, top left-hand corner under recent posts.