2026 Conservative Party of British Columbia leadership election

2026 Conservative Party of British Columbia leadership election
2026
Incumbent leader

Trevor Halford (interim)


2026 Conservative Party of British Columbia leadership election
DateTBD
Resigning leaderJohn Rustad
Won byTBD

In 2026, the Conservative Party of British Columbia is expected to hold a leadership election to choose a permanent leader to replace Trevor Halford, who became leader on an interim basis following the resignation of John Rustad. Rustad announced his resignation after a caucus revolt and internal party disputes on December 4, 2025.[1][2]

Background

Rustad, who was acclaimed leader in 2023, led his party into the 2024 British Columbia general election as the principal opposition party following BC United's decision to suspend its campaign and endorse Rustad's party. Preceding this, several BC United MLAs had defected to the Conservatives as opinion polls showed the party, which had no representation in the Legislative Assembly in decades, gaining momentum. The Conservatives won 44 seats, the party's best showing in over 70 years; the party hadn't won more than two seats in an election since 1953. On November 20, Rustad established his Official Opposition Shadow Cabinet, in which every Conservative MLA received a portfolio.[3] Following the election, Rustad passed his leadership review with 70.66% support in 2025. His leadership in Opposition was marked by internal strife, with the departures and expulsions of many MLAs and the formation of a splinter party named OneBC.

On December 3, 2025, 20 caucus members signed a letter calling for Rustad to resign his position as leader. The party's board of directors passed a resolution ousting him as leader, and appointed Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford as interim leader. In a statement, the party said that Rustad was too "professionally incapacitated" to continue as leader.[4] However, in the immediate aftermath, five Conservative MLAs refused to acknowledge the board's decision and said that Rustad remained party leader,[5] and Rustad himself rejected the board's decision and declared that he was still the leader of the party. The next day, the Western Standard reported that Rustad would step down as leader, and shortly after he announced his resignation.[6] During his resignation speech, he announced that he would also not stand for re-election at the next election.[7]

Party president Aisha Estey has stated that she expects a leadership election to be called in January 2026, with a new leader chosen within the next six months.[8]

Candidates

Declared

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

Declined

Opinion polling

A December 2025 Research Co. poll tested 15 potential leadership candidates. The BC Conservatives trailed the BC NDP by one point under Christy Clark (26% to 25%) and Gavin Dew (20% to 19%). The gap was two points under Elenore Sturko (23% to 21%) and Aaron Gunn (20% to 18%). Other tested names included Brad West (25% to 21%), Todd Stone (20% to 16%), Andrew Wilkinson (23% to 18%), Ellis Ross (21% to 16%), Caroline Elliott (23% to 18%), Peter Milobar (24% to 18%), Yuri Fulmer (25% to 19%), and James Moore (24% to 16%).[15][29]

References

  1. ^ a b Shaw, Rob (2025-12-06). "Interim leader appointment signals 'new chapter,' say Conservative MLAs". Northern Beat. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  2. ^ Depne, Wolfgang (December 3, 2025). "John Rustad removed as B.C. Conservatives' leader, party says, but Rustad says not true". Global News. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  3. ^ "John Rustad Announces Conservative Party of British Columbia Shadow Cabinet". Conservative Caucus of British Columbia. November 20, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  4. ^ "B.C. Conservatives say 'professionally incapacitated' Rustad removed as leader". Times Colonist. 2025-12-03. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  5. ^ @RobShaw_BC (December 3, 2025). "So far, MLAs Gaspar, Toor, Hartwell, Lowan and Neufeld refuse to recognize party move and say @JohnRustad4BC remains leader of Conservatives. Around a dozen walked behind @TrevHal in a show of support into house. Others say they don't know what's going on" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ^ Jäger, Jarryd (2025-12-04). "EXCLUSIVE: Rustad to step down as BC Conservative leader". Western Standard. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  7. ^ "B.C. Conservative Party Leader John Rustad announces resignation". CBC News. December 4, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  8. ^ Fagan, Emily (December 4, 2025). "New leader likely chosen within 6 months: Estey". CBC News.
  9. ^ Jäger, Jarryd (2025-12-10). "Kerry-Lynne Findlay launches leadership bid, vows to 'stop the Liberal takeover' of BC Conservatives". Western Standard. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
  10. ^ a b c Baker, Rochelle (December 13, 2025). "BC Conservative leadership bids cropping up, but party politics remain perilous". CHEK News. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
  11. ^ Bailey, Jim (2025-12-15). "West Kootenay advocate ready to lead B.C. Conservative Party". Castlegar News. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
  12. ^ Shaw, Rob (2025-12-10). "Rob Shaw: BC Conservatives set sights on crafting leadership race to replace Rustad". CHEK. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  13. ^ Conti, Alyssa. "Langley-Abbotsford MLA considers run for BC Conservative leadership". Fraser Valley Today | Everything Fraser Valley. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
  14. ^ Gunn, Aaron (December 10, 2025). "Aaron Gunn". X.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g Canseco, Mario (2025-11-13). "British Columbians Assess Options for BC Conservatives". Research Co. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  16. ^ Baker, Rochelle (December 12, 2025). "Newly elected Island MP mulls bid for leadership of B.C. Conservatives". Vancouver Is Awesome. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
  17. ^ Depner, Wolfgang (December 15, 2025). "Former grocery executive Darrell Jones considers run for B.C. Conservative leadership". CTV News. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
  18. ^ Andreas, Jeff (December 8, 2025). "Peter Milobar signals possible interest in BC Conservative Leadership". Radio NL - Kamloops News. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
  19. ^ Michael, Potestio (December 5, 2025). "Kamloops MLA Milobar considering run at B.C. Conservative leadership". Castanet. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
  20. ^ a b c d e Canseco, Mario (November 13, 2025). "BC Conservatives stuck searching for a leader who can win, poll shows". North Shore News. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  21. ^ Depner, Wolfgang (2025-12-10). "B.C. Conservatives cannot be 'kooky' if they want to be elected, says former premier Christy Clark". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  22. ^ Seymour, Ron (2025-12-07). "Kelowna's Gavin Dew mulling leadership bid". Penticton Herald. Retrieved 2025-12-14.
  23. ^ Press, The Canadian (2025-12-17). "Kelowna MLA Gavin Dew won't run for B.C. Conservative leadership, citing family". CTVNews. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
  24. ^ Giddens, Kiel (December 18, 2025). "Kiel Giddens says he won't run". X.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ^ Steacy, Lisa (2025-12-05). "John Rustad resigns as B.C. Conservative leader". CTVNews. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
  26. ^ Ross, Ellis (10 December 2025). "BC Conservative Leadership Race". Facebook. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
  27. ^ Page, Mark (2025-12-10). "Elenore Sturko says she will not run for B.C. Conservative leadership". Langley Advance Times. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  28. ^ Smyth, Mike (December 8, 2025). "Brad West says he won't run". X.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  29. ^ "Conservative leadership contenders weighed and Dew comes up strong: Poll - Kelowna News". www.castanet.net. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
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