Friday January 16, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted 5:38 pm | Latest update 1:08 pm January 17, 2026]
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).
Nomination deadline:
The nomination deadline is 5 pm on February 15, 2026, so there could be more contestants in this leadership race.
Candidates (contestants) may spend up to $2 million on their campaign, according to party rules that were issued on January 16, 2026.
Six leadership candidates:
So far, there are six declared candidates (contestants) in the Conservative Party of BC leadership race.
All six candidates at present are largely based in the Vancouver mainland area. None are from Greater Victoria or Vancouver Island. [More detailed articles to come on each candidate].
Generally speaking, all of these candidates feel that the next premier of BC will be the (new) BC Conservative leader. Of course that is up to voters.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Warren Hamm – Contractor based in Rossland, BC.
- 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.
Also heard to be possibly considering running for the leadership are: Harman Bhangu, MLA (Langley-Abbotsford); and Darrell Jones, a former president of the Pattison Food Group.
Fees:
To become a BC Conservative leadership contestant, there is a $5,000 application fee, then a total of $130,000 required as follows:
- $10,000 by the third day following their application.
- $20,000 compliance deposit within 21 days after becoming a contestant.
- $40,000 on or before April 1, 2026
- $60,000 on or before April 18, 2026
Contestants are to pay 20% of political contributions (received by their campaign), on or before the 5th day of each month that political contributions are received. The party says this is to help with overall campaign financing.
Voting timeline:
Secure voting will take place May 9 through May 30, 2026.
There will be a voting system of first-count, second-count, etc, until one leadership contestant receives more than 50% of the points allocated
on any Province-Wide Count — that person will be declared as the new leader on May 30.
Any party members who wish to vote may do so 21 days after payment of the membership fee. The deadline to become a member is 5 pm on April 18, 2026.
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