National

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

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Jan, 2026 10:30 AM

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

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Virtual emergency care launching at four hospitals in B.C.'s Interior

Patients seeking emergency care at four hospitals in British Columbia's Interior may now be seen by a doctor working virtually in a pilot project aimed at modernizing rural health services.

Virtual emergency care launching at four hospitals in B.C.'s Interior

Inside the Ring of Fire: A tale of two First Nations and a road that could change everything

First Nation elders understood the south would march north eventually. They knew it would come in waves, sometimes slow, sometimes fast. Those ancestors told their kids, who told theirs, and so on until today.

Inside the Ring of Fire: A tale of two First Nations and a road that could change everything

Half of Canadians support a new pipeline between Alberta and B.C.: poll

Half of Canadians are in favour of building a new bitumen pipeline between Alberta and B.C., while fewer than one in five outright oppose it, a new poll suggests.

Half of Canadians support a new pipeline between Alberta and B.C.: poll

Bank of Canada leaves key interest rate unchanged at 2.25%

The Bank of Canada left its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday as it signalled the 2.25 per cent level is about right to balance keeping inflation in check with helping the economy grow.

Bank of Canada leaves key interest rate unchanged at 2.25%

PM says new envoy to U.S. will have window to prepare for next phase of trade talks

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada's next ambassador to Washington will have a window to prepare for the next phase of trade relations with the United States.