Retired, Conservative, Independent? Here’s the B.C. Liberals’ class of 2020 now
By The Canadian Press on September 4, 2024.
Twenty-eight B.C. Liberals won seats in British Columbia’s 2020 provincial election, making them the Official Opposition. Here’s a look at their current status after the party, now known as BC United, was withdrawn last week from the 2024 election by Leader Kevin Falcon. Others, including Elenore Sturko, now running as a Conservative, and Falcon, who is retiring from politics, were elected in byelections. – Running as B.C. Conservatives Bruce Banman, Abbotsford South: In September 2023 Banman crossed the floor to become the second sitting provincial Conservative after John Rustad. Lorne Doerkson, Cariboo Chilcotin: Doerkson crossed the floor to sit with the B.C. Conservatives in May 2024. Trevor Halford, Surrey-White Rock: Halford was one of three former BC United MLAs who announced on Tuesday that they would run under the B.C. Conservative banner. Peter Milobar, Kamloops-North Thompson: Milobar also announced he was joining the Conservatives on Tuesday. He will be running in Kamloops Centre. Ian Paton, Delta South: Paton is the third former BC United MLA who announced their switch to the Conservatives on Tuesday. John Rustad, Nechako Lakes: Rustad was kicked out of the then B.C. Liberal caucus by Falcon in August 2022 over comments suggesting climate change was not caused by carbon dioxide emissions. He became Conservative leader in March 2023. Teresa Wat, Richmond North Centre: Wat crossed to the B.C. Conservatives in July. – Running as Independents Mike Bernier, Peace River South: Bernier announced Wednesday he would run as an Independent. Bernier said he didn’t want to “bend” his morals and values by running with the provincial Conservatives. Tom Shypitka, Kootenay East: Shypitka announced Wednesday that he would be running as an Independant in the newly named Kootenay-Rockies riding. – Withdrew after BC United halted campaign Shirley Bond, Prince George Valemount: A former opposition leader who was first elected as an MLA in 2001, Bond announced she was withdrawing the day after Falcon announced he was suspending United’s campaign. Jackie Tegart, Fraser Nicola: Tegart, who has been an MLA since 2013, announced on Tuesday that she would not be running for re-election. Todd Stone, Kamloops-South Thompson: Stone, the BC United house leader, announced his retirement from politics the day after Falcon’s bombshell. – Previously announced they weren’t seeking re-election Dan Ashton, Penticton: Ashton said he was not running again provincially in December 2023. Months later he announced he would be seeking the federal Conservative nomination in South Okanagan-Similkameen-West Kootenay. Stephanie Cadieux, Surrey South: Cadieux resigned her seat in April 2022 to become Canada’s first chief accessibility officer. Doug Clovechok, Columbia River-Revelstoke: In February 2024 Clovechok announced he was not seeking re-election due to health challenges. Mike de Jong, Abbotsford West: De Jong announced in February 2024 that he would not seek another term as MLA. He is seeking the federal Conservative nomination for Abbotsford-South Langley. Karin Kirkpatrick, West Vancouver Capilano: In February, Kirkpatrick said she would not be seeking re-election, saying she was putting her health and family first. Greg Kyllo, Shuswap: Kyllo announced his retirement from politics in October 2023. Michael Lee, Vancouver-Langara: In July 2024 Lee said he was heading back to work in the private sector and would not seek re-election. Norm Letnick, Kelowna-Lake Country: Letnick announced in April 2023 that he would not be seeking a fifth term. Renee Merrifield, Kelowna-Mission: Merrifield announced in May 2024 that she would not seek re-election. Mike Morris, Prince George-Mackenzie: In March 2023, Morris said he planned to retire. Ellis Ross, Skeena: Ross was named the federal Conservatives’ candidate in the Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding in January 2024. Ben Stewart, Kelowna West: Stewart, who was first elected in 2013, announced in October 2023 that he would not seek re-election. Jordan Sturdy, West Vancouver-Sea-to-Sky: Sturdy announced in January that he would not seek re-election. Andrew Wilkinson, Vancouver Quilchena: Wilkinson resigned as party leader after lowing the 2020 election and in February 2022, he resigned as MLA to allow Falcon to run in a byelection. – Have not announced plans Dan Davies, Peace River North Coralee Oakes, Cariboo North This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 4, 2024 42-41
