B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad speaks during a news conference after former BC United MLA Teresa Wat joined the Conservatives, in Richmond, B.C., on July 30. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Three BC United legislators who are now running as Independents in British Columbia’s fall provincial election could be potential “power brokers” in a minority government, says the latest candidate to dispense with party affiliation.
Dan Davies, first elected in 2017 in the Peace River North riding, announced his move on Thursday, saying that Independents could play pivotal roles after what could be a close contest between the New Democrats and B.C. Conservatives.
“The election will be close in many aspects and there’s a number of Independents who will be running for the first time,” he said at a news conference.
“In fact, they are expecting a record number of Independents running, which could very well become the power brokers in a legislature that is looking like it might be a minority government.”
Davies has joined BC United colleagues Mike Bernier and Tom Shypitka, who announced earlier this week that they were seeking re-election as Independents.
Davies said he wanted to continue representing his constituents in the northeast B.C. riding, and was left with no choice but to take the Independent route.
The manoeuvres come after last week’s bombshell announcement from BC United Leader Kevin Falcon that the Official Opposition was ending its campaign and would instead throw support behind the B.C. Conservatives, led by John Rustad.
That triggered a dash to consolidate the two parties’ candidate lists, with some United members running as Conservatives, some withdrawing re-election bids, and others considering Independent status.
Shypitka, the BC United MLA for Kootenay East, which forms part of the new Kootenay-Rockies riding, said in a Facebook live announcement Wednesday that the situation had created a “perfect storm” for Independent candidates.
Bernier, who has represented his Dawson Creek area Peace River South riding since 2013, said the Independents could hold the balance of power, in a situation similar to 2017 when three Green MLAs helped the NDP form a minority government.
Davies said last week’s decision by Falcon to suspend United’s campaign came as a “gut-punch,” as it was reached without consultation.
“I’m very disappointed in Kevin’s decision as we were not consulted,” he said. “It’s just not the way things should be done.”
Davies, who described himself as a longtime “progressive conservative,” said he contacted Rustad to discuss his possible candidacy for the B.C. Conservatives, but his overtures were not returned.
BC United MLAs Ian Paton, Peter Milobar and Trevor Halford were contacted by Rustad after their party’s campaign suspension and are now B.C. Conservative candidates.
– By Dirk Meissner in Victoria
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 5, 2024.
