Kerry-Lynne Findlay is running for the leadership of the B.C. Conservatives to prevent what she calls a “Liberal takeover” of the party.
The former federal Conservative MP and cabinet minister under Stephen Harper launched her campaign Thursday.
Findlay said in a social media statement she would “put freedom first, cut taxes, lock up criminals, stop the extortion, defend property rights, and get woke ideology out of our schools.”
Several candidates in the growing leadership field have ties to the former B.C. Liberal party.
Iain Black was a Liberal MLA and served as labour minister in Gordon Campbell’s cabinet. Political commentator Caroline Elliott previously served as vice-president of the rebranded Liberal party, B.C. United. Peter Milobar was elected as a Liberal MLA in 2017 and crossed the floor to the Conservatives in 2024.
Prince George–North Cariboo MLA Sheldon Clare also pointed to the strong ex-Liberal representation in the race. He said he is running to ensure the party is “not a watered-down BC Liberal 2.0.”
Vancouver businessman and Capilano University chancellor Yuri Fulmer, former grocery executive Darrell Jones, and Rossland contractor Warren Hamm have also launched leadership campaigns.
Trevor Halford has been serving as interim leader of the party since John Rustad stepped down in early December.
The party says it will announce a new leader on May 30.
