Poilievre comments on British Columbia election after conservative merger

It has become a musical chairs race in British Columbia's parliament as candidates and MPs try to win a seat in October's provincial election.

“A political party that moves its candidates and competitors back and forth like pawns on a chessboard,” said Sonia Furstenau, leader of the Green Party of British Columbia, as she reflected on last week’s sudden and shocking political news and this week’s aftermath.

After BC United leader Kevin Falcon suspended his party's election campaign, he and BC Conservative leader John Rustad announced that the Conservatives would field the best team going forward – a team that now includes three more former BC United MPs: Trevor Halford, Peter Milobar and Ian Paton.

“When the whole thing imploded a week ago, I really had a lot of options,” Paton said Tuesday afternoon, noting that he did not believe running as an independent would give him as much influence on behalf of his South Delta constituency if he won the election.

After announcing the re-signing of key former BC United MPs, Rustad was quick to stress that the Conservatives would not dilute their brand.

“It doesn't change who we are as the Conservative Party of British Columbia. It's great to have them involved,” Rustad said.

Up to six Conservative candidates in British Columbia are expected to be thrown out of the race, including Rachael Weber in Prince George, who was kicked out over the weekend after making a series of controversial social media posts about 5G cell towers that became the target of criticism.

“Whoever wins the battle for the centre – especially in the big urban centres – will win the election,” said political scientist Hamish Telford in his analysis of the election campaign on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, British Columbia MP Jackie Tegart announced Tuesday that she is not running, and Mike Bernier confirmed he is running as an independent, noting that he could have greater influence in that role if a minority government is formed.

“British Columbia Conservatives in particular will come to me – and perhaps to Dan Davies – and to anyone else running as an independent – and beg for our vote and support,” Bernier said Tuesday.

The consolidation of the two right-of-centre parties was intended to prevent a split in the vote. When Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre was asked during a trip to British Columbia on Tuesday whether he would support the only option on the right, he indicated that he would.

“The people of British Columbia want a common sense conservative government at both the provincial and federal levels,” Poilievre said.

Rustad said he expects to have his team assembled by the end of the week, with perhaps two seats left open as politicians across British Columbia scramble to find a new seat in a new political landscape.