More Candidates Stepping Forward in Race to Lead BC Conservative Party

The legislature building in Victoria, B.C., on Sept. 25, 2023. The Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito

More individuals are putting together teams and coming forward as candidates to lead the B.C. Conservative Party, after the resignation of leader John Rustad last December.

Declared candidates so far include Prince George-North Cariboo MLA Sheldon Clare, businessman and Capilano university chancellor Yuri Fulmer, Rossland contractor and political advocate Warren Hamm, and political commentator and former vice-president of the B.C. United Party Caroline Elliott.

Elliott has brought on Kory Teneycke as campaign manager. Teneycke served as former director of communications to former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and former campaign manager for the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party under Doug Ford. Elliott has also brought on political strategist Anthony Koch and digital strategist Jeff Ballingall.

Elliott has been especially critical of the NDP government’s approach to health care, economics, crime and indigenous relations.

Fulmer has been holding community events in the province, including in Campbell River, Cranbrook, and Courtenay and has focused his messaging on opposition to Premier David Eby’s government.

Hires for Clare, Fulmer, and Hamm have not yet been announced.

Another candidate could also be entering the fray tomorrow. Former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Iain Black is expected to announce his run for party leadership on Jan. 15 in Coquitlam, B.C.

Potential Candidates

Other individuals who have been suggested as contenders to lead the party include Conservative MLA Peter Milobar and former federal Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, though neither have officially entered the race.

B.C. Conservative MLA Harman Bhangu said on Dec. 30, 2025, he will also “most likely” run to lead the party, but only after finding out the rules for the race, which have not yet been announced.

The party created a leadership committee chaired by former president of the Conservative Party of Canada Scott Lamb earlier this month to oversee and administer the rules and process for the party’s upcoming leadership race. Lamb said the rules and other details will be released soon. Although the date for the leadership race has yet to be revealed, it is anticipated to occur in the near future.

“Our Province is at a crossroads and is desperately in need of new leadership to guide British Columbia out of the economic and political crises that the NDP government has created,” Lamb wrote in a Jan. 2 press release.

Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford has been serving as interim party leader since Rustad stepped down at the beginning of last month, but has said he has no intention of running for leader.

Federal Conservative MP Aaron Gunn has also decided not to run for B.C. Conservative Party leadership, saying last month it could potentially open his seat to a Liberal MP, moving the Liberals closer to a majority government. President and CEO of the Independent Contractors and Business Association Chris Gardner also announced Jan. 14 that he would not run to lead the party because of a cancer diagnosis.

The B.C. Conservatives have experienced considerable upheaval since assuming the role of the province’s official Opposition in 2024. MLAs Elenore Sturko and Dallas Brodie were expelled last year and MLAs Jordan Kealy, Tara Armstrong, and Amelia Boultbee left the party. The Conservatives currently hold 39 seats in the provincial legislature, while the governing NDP holds 47.

Olivia Gomm contributed to this report.