The political landscape in British Columbia has shifted with John Rustad’s B.C. Conservatives now carrying the centre-right banner heading into a fall election campaign.
B.C. United Leader Kevin Falcon’s decision to pull his party from the upcoming campaign, which he announced on Wednesday, has given voters in the province a clear left-versus-right choice — but it’s also left almost two dozen incumbent party MLAs pondering their futures.
Veteran party member Mike Bernier, who represents the staunchly Conservative Peace River South riding in the Dawson Creek area, says caucus members and staff were blindsided by Falcon’s decision.
The suspension of the Opposition’s election campaign, consolidating its pool of potential candidates with the B.C. Conservatives, means dozens between both camps will lose party endorsement in their ridings.
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There are 93 ridings being contested in the 2024 B.C. election. The B.C. Conservatives have put forth 83 candidates, and B.C. United had announced 57. There are five sitting B.C. Conservative MLAs, whereas B.C. United has 23 sitting MLAs.
Bernier, a three-term incumbent, says he still wants to represent his constituents and would likely accept an opportunity to seek re-election as a B.C. Conservative — but if the offer does not arrive, he says he might run as an independent.
Falcon and Rustad say the two parties will jointly work out a process to field the best candidates for the Oct. 19 election, but the details have yet to be arranged.
Bernier says he respects Falcon’s decision to prevent a centre-right vote split, but he wants to be part of the campaign to defeat Premier David Eby’s New Democrats.