2026 Conservative Party of British Columbia leadership election

2026 Conservative Party of British Columbia leadership election

←  2023 2026

Incumbent leader Trevor Halford (interim)

2026 Conservative Party of British Columbia leadership election

Date	TBD
Resigning leader	John Rustad
Won by	TBD
Conservative Party of British Columbia leadership elections 1900 1903 1915 1926 1938 1946 1952 1963 1969 1971 1973 1977 1980 1985 1991 1997 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2011 2014 2019 2023 2026

In 2026, the Conservative Party of British Columbia will 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 dispute 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, many 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.

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. ^[7]

Candidates

Potential

Publicly expressed interest

• Kerry-Lynne Findlay, federal Chief Opposition Whip (2023–2025), MP for South Surrey—White Rock (2019–2025), and MP for Delta—Richmond East (2011–2015) ^[8]
• Elenore Sturko, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale (2024–present), MLA for Surrey South (2022–2024) (Sits as an independent in the legislature) ^[9]

Speculated by media

• Iain Black, Minister of Labour and Citizens Services (2008–2011), MLA for Port Moody-Westwood (2005 –2011), former federal conservative candidate for Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam in 2025 ^[1]
• Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia (2011–2017), Deputy Premier of British Columbia (2001–2004) ^{[10] [11]}
• Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna-Mission (2024–present) ^{[10] [11]}
• Caroline Elliott, political commentator, former BC United vice-president, withdrawn candidate for West Vancouver-Capilano in 2024. ^{[10] [11]}
• Yuri Fulmer, businessman and 2024 BC Conservative candidate in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky ^{[10] [11]}
• Aaron Gunn, MP for North Island—Powell River (2025–present) ^{[10] [11]}
• Peter Milobar, MLA for Kamloops Centre (2024–present), MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson (2017–2024), Mayor of Kamloops (2008–2017) ^{[10] [11]}
• James Moore, MP for Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam (2000–2015), federal cabinet minister (2008–2015) ^{[10] [11]}
• Ellis Ross, MP for Skeena—Bulkley Valley (2025–present), MLA for Skeena (2017–2024) ^{[10] [11]}
• Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure (2013–2017), MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson (2013–2024) ^{[10] [11]}
• Dianne Watts, MP for South Surrey—White Rock (2015–2017), Mayor of Surrey (2005–2014), Surrey City Councillor (1996–2005) ^[11]
• Brad West, Mayor of Port Coquitlam (2018–present) ^{[10] [11]}
• Andrew Wilkinson, BC Liberal leader (2018–2020) ^{[10] [11]}

Declined

• Trevor Halford, MLA for Surrey-White Rock, interim leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia since 2025 ^[12]

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%). ^{[10] [13]}

References

1. "Interim leader appointment signals 'new chapter,' say Conservative MLAs". Northern Beat. 2025-12-06. 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. Fagan, Emily (December 4, 2025). "New leader likely chosen within 6 months: Estey". CBC News .
8. "Kerry-Lynne Findlay for BC Premier". Kerry-Lynne Findlay for Premier. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
9. Vanderdeen, Lauren (December 4, 2025). "Rustad's resignation a 'reset,' Sturko says". CBC News .
10. Canseco, Mario (2025-11-13). "British Columbians Assess Options for BC Conservatives". Research Co. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
11. Canseco, Mario (November 13, 2025). "BC Conservatives stuck searching for a leader who can win, poll shows". North Shore News . Retrieved 2025-12-04.
12. Steacy, Lisa (2025-12-05). "John Rustad resigns as B.C. Conservative leader". CTVNews. Retrieved 2025-12-08.
13. "Conservative leadership contenders weighed and Dew comes up strong: Poll - Kelowna News". www.castanet.net. Retrieved 2025-12-04.