Green Party fielding candidate in Richmond who lives on other side of the province

A B.C. Green Party candidate is defending his decision to be the party's nominee in the riding of Richmond South Centre, despite living in a city over 600 kilometres away.

"I have been surprised by the response," said Greg Powell from his home in Castlegar, B.C.

"This is nothing unique for an election, and there's a long history of pretty much every riding in B.C. history havingcandidatesrun where thecandidatedoesn't live."

Powell was selected as the party's candidate earlier this week, but the minister ofCastlegarUnited Church and former PembinaInstitute organizer won't be able to campaign in the riding until the election is two weeks away because of work commitments.

"Every candidate wants to be face-to-face with constituents," said Powell, admitting he would prefer to spend more time in the riding, "but every candidatehas trouble reachingconstituents for a variety of reasons ... that's not unique to my situation.

The riding of Richmond South Centre is new to B.C. this year, split off from the riding of Richmond Centre when an additional electoral district was given to the city. Liberal MLA and current speaker Linda Reid is running for a seventhterm, while the NDP's candidate isChak Au, a city councillor.

• 2017 British Columbia election: Richmond South Centre riding profile
• Who's running in the 2017 British Columbia election?

The Green Party has nominated 71 candidates to date, leaving 16 ridings where they still need a nominee.

In a statement, they mentioned Premier Christy Clark in Kelowna, and NDP candidate Bryce Casavant, as examples where other parties have fielded candidates in ridings far away from their home.

Powell said a main reason for accepting the party's nomination was ensuring voters in every riding could vote for the Green Party.

They've never received more than 11 per cent in a Richmond riding, but Powell believes the party is on the rise which is why his situation has garnered attention.

"I believe many of the other parties seetheGreens as a serious threat, so they're taking a particular interest in my situation because of that," he said.