Mark King announced Wednesday that he will run as a candidate for the People’s Party of Canada in the upcoming federal election.

King, a North Bay city councillor and chairman of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board, made the decision after he was stripped of the chance to run in the Oct. 21 federal election as a candidate for the Conservatives in the federal riding of Nipissing-Timiskaming.

He won the party nomination last month over Callander Coun. Jordy Carr.

The removal of King arose over memberships that were allegedly purchased with a corporate credit card.

The leader of the People’s Party of Canada, Maxime Bernier, stated in previous interviews that the key platforms of his new party are to build a stronger economy and reduce immigration.

Bernier formed the party after he lost the Conservative Party of Canada leadership in 2017 to Andrew Scheer.

This story will be updated.