Wednesday, March 25, 2026
ADVT 
National

Seven candidates still in B.C. Conservative leadership race after two MLAs drop out

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Mar, 2026 11:19 AM
  • Seven candidates still in B.C. Conservative leadership race after two MLAs drop out

The number of candidates running for the leadership of the British Columbia Conservatives has shrunk to seven.

Bruce Banman and Harman Bhangu, both members of the provincial legislature, have dropped out of the race. 

Banman says he is endorsing candidate Yuri Fulmer because the entrepreneur is the only candidate with a "proven track record" in the private sector, who knows how to kick-start the economy.

Bhangu has thrown his support behind Caroline Elliott, saying he agrees with her ideas about "common sense" in schools, prosperity for working families and respect for private property.

Also still running are contractor Warren Hamm, former Save-on-Foods executive Darrell Jones, and current MLA Peter Milobar, who is now the only sitting legislator vying for the leadership of the official Opposition.

Milobar says on social media that he is the only candidate, who "would win a strong, clear" majority government, pointing to recent polling.

The remaining candidates must pay $40,000 by April 1, then another $60,000 on or before April 18, to remain in the race, with the leader to be announced on May 30.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Conservative Party of British Columbia

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