Friday January 16, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The Conservative Party of BC is beginning to see momentum of people stepping forward to take part in the party’s leadership race that will unfold over the next four and half months.
“On May 30, 2026, the Conservative Party of British Columbia will announce a new leader, following an election process where our members will make their voice heard. The new leader will be one who can unite our movement and defeat David Eby’s radical government.,” as stated on the BC Conservatives website.
“Conservatives believe government exists to serve the people, not activists or special interests. Our leadership process reflects that belief: open, democratic, and grounded in real world solutions, not ideological slogans,” the party’s website states. Meanwhile, the NDP might consider the business sector to be ‘special interest’ in a way that — at least in the past — has left some or many people behind.
New party resurrected by Rustad:
Generally speaking, all the current candidates seem to have a ‘big tent’ approach to the party that grew from two seats to 44 in the last general provincial election under John Rustad’s leadership.
Rustad ended up resigning in December; his legacy almost inarguably lies in swiftly and robustly resurrecting the BC Conservatives to a near majority after the BC Liberals fell into a short-lived in 2024 BC United identity, all of which found disaster in terms of party cohesion just months ahead of the October 2024 provincial election.
The interim BC Conservative leader is Trevor Halford. There are currently 39 BC Conservative seats in the BC Legislative Assembly due to defections from the party (to sit either as OneBC MPs or as independents).
Six leadership candidates:
So far, there are six declared candidates in the Conservative Party of BC leadership race.
Current candidates are largely based in the Vancouver mainland area. None are from Greater Victoria or Vancouver Island. [More detailed articles to come on each candidate].
- Iain Black – Ian Black is a former BC Liberal MLA (Port Moody–Westwood / later Port Moody-Coquitlam, from 2005 to 2011) and was a cabinet minister during the Gordon Campbell era. He had a career with IBM and in banking solutions, and has been a CEO of several companies. Black announced his candidacy in Vancouver on January 16 in a large room filled with supporters. [Feature article to come]
- Sheldon Clare – The MLA for Prince George-North Cariboo said in recent weeks that he plans to run. He has said he supports the big-tent approach of now former leader John Rustad. [Feature article to come]
- Caroline Elliott – A political commentator involved with the former BC Liberal Party and its successor, BC United, for about two decades. Sister-in-law to former BC Liberal/United leader Kevin Falcon. To help manage Elliott’s campaign, Kory Teneycke (a former campaign organizer for Ontario Premier Doug Ford and before that Stephen Harper) is relocating to Vancouver. [Feature article to come]
- Yuri Fulmer – Entrepreneur and philanthropist based in Vancouver. Chair of Fulmer & Company (investments across technology, manufacturing, and consumer goods); global chair of United Way Worldwide; and chancellor of Capilano University. [Feature article to come]
- Warren Hamm – Contractor based in Rossland, BC. [Feature article to come]
- Peter Milobar – Elected in 2017 (re-elected 2020 and 2024), Opposition Finance Critic Peter Milobar (Kamloops Centre) has watched the BC NDP government up close in the BC Legislature. He has participated in various debates and committees regarding budgets and other key aspects of provincial legislative bills. He hopes to unite the party and see the BC Conservatives win the next provincial election. Milobar announced his candidacy outside the BC Parliament Buildings on January 16. [Feature article to come]
Also heard to be possibly considering running for the leadership are: Harman Bhangu, MLA (Langley-Abbotsford); Peter Milobar, MLA (Kamloops Centre); and Darrell Jones, a former president of the Pattison Food Group.
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