The BC Conservatives announced on Monday a candidate for the Fraser-Nicola riding. Michael Beauclair was announced in December as the party’s nominee, and until his candidacy this week, no one else entered the race. “One of the biggest reasons I joined the BC Conservatives is because they were willing to listen to me about the lax standards of timber measurement in British Columbia,” he said. “I don’t like the way the Liberal government is leading our forest economy right now.” Beauclair said he’s scaled timber for almost 18 years. He is a log scaler who was born and raised in Oliver, B.C. After leaving, he attended the coastal log-scaling program at BCIT. He’s been employed in forest/value-added industries for 24 years and now works for Tolko Industries Ltd. He is also the owner of Nikaia Creek Contracting. The party also announced Richmond East candidate Nathaniel Lim. “Michael and Nathaniel are excellent candidates for our BC Conservatives,” party leader John Cummins said. “Both are passionate about our province and its residents, and both have extensive records of service on behalf of their fellow British Columbians.” Beauclair also encourages private and public health care systems, increasing academic standards and promoting public safety and justice. The next B.C. election is scheduled for May 14.