The B.C. Prosecution Service said Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy has been charged with sexual assault.
The service said in a release that Kealy was charged on Wednesday with one count of sexual assault.
It said the alleged offences happened between Jan. 1 and Sept. 20, 2024, in Fort St. John.
A first court appearance is set for July 6 in Fort St. John.
In a brief emailed statement to Vista Radio News, Kealy denied the allegations and appeared to have no plans to resign as MLA.
“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,” he said.
BCPS said a special prosecutor was appointed in February to the investigation being conducted by North District Prince George RCMP into the allegations.
Special prosecutors are typically appointed in cases involving elected public officials to avoid potential for improper influence in the administration of justice.
“As these matters are now before the court, neither the Special Prosecutor nor the BCPS will be releasing additional information or commenting further at this time,” the service said.
Kealy was elected as a B.C. Conservative in the October 2024 provincial election.
He left the party in March 2025 to sit as an Independent.
Kealy is the second sitting B.C. MLA to face charges in recent months.
The BCPS said in March that Richmond Centre MLA Hon Chan had been charged with offences related to intimate partner violence, including assault, assault by choking and uttering threats.
Chan was removed from the B.C. Conservative party caucus after the charges came to light, and now sits as an Independent.
Chan has said he disagrees with the allegation and looks forward to defending himself through the legal process.
