BC Conservative Leadership Candidate Fulmer Strikes ‘Unite the Right’ Deal With OneBC

Yuri Fulmer, BC Conservative Party candidate for West Vancouver Sea-to-Sky, is photographed before the start of a press conference in Squamish, B.C., Oct. 1, 2024. The Canadian Presss/Tijana Martin

B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Yuri Fulmer and OneBC Leader Dallas Brodie have announced a “unite the right accord” to prevent vote-splitting if Fulmer wins the leadership race.

The agreement stipulates that OneBC will not run candidates in 88 out of B.C.’s 93 ridings in return for the Conservatives agreeing to “clear the path” for OneBC in five targeted ridings, Fulmer and Brodie said in a joint statement.

The accord does not specify which five ridings would see OneBC as the “standard-bearer” for the right in the event of a Fulmer victory, but it indicated that a formal confidence-and-supply arrangement would exist between the two parties if they collectively secure a majority of seats in the legislature.

The purpose of the agreement is to focus both parties on the shared goal of defeating the NDP in the upcoming provincial election, the statement said.

“British Columbians are desperate for real change, but they are concerned that a split vote will hand the NDP another majority,” said Brodie, the leader and sole legislator for the OneBC party. “Today, we have resolved those concerns.”

OneBC Leader and Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie in a file photo. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

Brodie founded OneBC following her expulsion from the Conservative caucus in early March 2025 by then-leader John Rustad over comments she made about residential schools.

Brodie said she is now offering her “full support” to Fulmer in his bid to become premier.

Fulmer said he is “incredibly proud to welcome” her endorsement and forge a deal with her party with the common goal of removing the NDP government from office.

Race for Top Spot

Also running for the Conservative leadership are former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Iain Black, former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, contractor Warren Hamm, commentator and think tank senior fellow Caroline Elliott, and current MLA Peter Milobar, who is now the only sitting legislator seeking the leadership of the official Opposition.

Several candidates have exited the race this month.

Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman and Langley-Abbotsford MLA Harman Bhangu both announced their withdrawals from the race a few weeks ago, and former Save-on-Foods executive Darrell Jones dropped out over the weekend.

Banman threw his support behind Fulmer, saying his proven track record in the private sector would give him the insight needed to help revitalize the economy.

“We need a fresh face who can bring new energy as our party grows,” Banman said in a March 15 social media post. “I believe Yuri can protect our party, defeat the NDP, and inspire confidence in BC’s future.”

Bhangu and Jones both said they decided to back Elliott because they agree on several priorities for the province.

“Caroline and I share the same ideas about the future of this province, common sense in our schools, prosperity for working families, respect for private property, and a government that actually listens to British Columbians,” Bhangu said in a March 16 social media video alongside Elliott.

Jones said on social media that he and Elliott are aligned on working with small businesses and industry, reducing the cost of government, and tackling economic challenges.

A March 23 poll by Mainstreet Research suggested there is “a very clear two horse race” developing ahead of the membership registration deadline on April 18. The poll, commissioned by Milobar, appears to pit him against Elliot for the top spot.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.