BC MLA Jordan Kealy Charged With Sexual Assault

Independent B.C. MLA Jordan Kealy has been charged with sexual assault, according to the B.C. Prosecution Service.

The service said in a June 4 release that the alleged offences occurred between Jan. 1 and Sept. 20, 2024, in Fort St. John, B.C.

Special prosecutor Gail Barnes was appointed on Feb. 9 in connection with an investigation being conducted by the North District Prince George RCMP into allegations against Kealy, according the statement.

“The appointment of a Special Prosecutor is intended to avoid any potential for real or perceived improper influence in the administration of justice considering the nature of the allegations and the identity of the accused as an elected public official,” said the release.

Kealy responded to the allegations the same day the charges were announced, saying he is innocent and won’t be resigning.

“I am innocent of the accusation against me and will prove that in court. In the meantime, it will be business as usual, advocating for my constituents and region,” Kealy said in a June 4 statement provided to the Epoch Times.

Kealy was charged June 3 and his first court appearance is scheduled for July 6 in Fort St. John. None of the charges against Kealy have been tested in court.

The allegation against Kealy predates his election to the B.C. legislature.

He was first elected to represent the riding of Peace River North as a B.C. Conservative in the October 2024 provincial election, ousting incumbent Dan Davies.

He left the B.C. Tories in March of last year to sit as an Independent following then-leader John Rustad’s removal of former B.C. Conservative MLA Dallas Brodie from the party’s caucus over comments she had made about residential schools.

Brodie formed her own party, OneBC, together with MLA Tara Armstrong, who has since left and become an Independent MLA.

This is a developing story, updates will follow.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.