Thursday, January 22, 2026
ADVT 
National

Campbell-era minister Iain Black joining B.C. Conservative leadership race

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Jan, 2026 10:30 AM
  • Campbell-era minister Iain Black joining B.C. Conservative leadership race

Iain Black, a former minister in the British Columbia government of Gordon Campbell, is joining the race to lead the provincial Conservatives.

A campaign website says he will launch his bid with an event in Coquitlam on Thursday, with Black saying on social media that he will be making an "exciting announcement."

The website, which Black shares in his post, carries the slogan "get B.C. back on track."

Black was involved in the tech industry before becoming a provincial legislator from 2005 to 2011 and holding a range of portfolios in Campbell's BC Liberal government, then going on to head the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade until 2019.

He joins a growing field of contenders to replace John Rustad, who stepped down as B.C. Conservative leader last month.

Political commentator Caroline Elliott joined the race this week, with B.C. Conservative MLA Sheldon Clare, entrepreneur Yuri Fulmer and Rossland contractor Warren Hamm also among the declared candidates.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

MORE National ARTICLES

House of Commons set to rise for six-week holiday break

House of Commons set to rise for six-week holiday break
The House of Commons could rise as early as Thursday for the winter break — without the Liberals passing their lengthy budget implementation bill.

House of Commons set to rise for six-week holiday break

Fact File: Posts falsely claim Canada revoked China's equal trade status

Fact File: Posts falsely claim Canada revoked China's equal trade status
Chinese language posts that appeared on social media the past few weeks claimed Canada was one of 32 countries to revoke China's "most favoured nation" trade status on Dec. 1. 

Fact File: Posts falsely claim Canada revoked China's equal trade status

Vast majority of victims don't report intimate partner violence to police, study says

Vast majority of victims don't report intimate partner violence to police, study says
A new analysis by Quebec's statistics institute has concluded that the vast majority of victims don't report intimate partner violence to the police.

Vast majority of victims don't report intimate partner violence to police, study says

CRA aiming to hire 1,700 call centre staff ahead of busy tax season

CRA aiming to hire 1,700 call centre staff ahead of busy tax season
The Canada Revenue Agency is looking to hire or rehire about 1,700 call centre workers over the next few months to manage an influx of calls during the upcoming tax season. 

CRA aiming to hire 1,700 call centre staff ahead of busy tax season

B.C. evacuation orders, alerts expand as floods cut off most links to Lower Mainland

B.C. evacuation orders, alerts expand as floods cut off most links to Lower Mainland
Evacuation orders and alerts in southern British Columbia expanded overnight, as floodwaters and landslides cut off most major routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior.

B.C. evacuation orders, alerts expand as floods cut off most links to Lower Mainland

'Not what they're saying': Carney rejects suggestion U.S. may exit trade pact

'Not what they're saying': Carney rejects suggestion U.S. may exit trade pact
Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing back on the suggestion that the U.S. may be considering pulling out of North America's trilateral free-trade pact.

'Not what they're saying': Carney rejects suggestion U.S. may exit trade pact