CentreBC leader resigns to make way for former B.C. Conservative to lead party
New CentreBC Leader Peter Milobar in Vancouver on Friday. (Katie DeRosa/CBC)The LatestMike Bernier has announced his resignation as leader of the new CentreBC party, in order to allow former B.C. Conservative Party member Peter Milobar to lead instead. The two politicians are holding a news conference after three more MLAs left the opposition B.C. Conservatives earlier today.Β Β The Conservatives have now lost a total of 12 members since Kerry-Lynne Findlay became leader in May. Earlier Friday, B.C. Premier David Eby said he hadn't yet decided on whether to call a snap provincial election, two years ahead of schedule.Featured MediaSkip Featured Media2:37Why David Eby is considering a snap election
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Milobar says his group and Bernier's have been in talks for a number of weeks and had planned to announce the merger on the steps of the B.C. Legislature on Oct. 5.Β
He says the feeling that an election call is imminent made them move up the date. "We cannot spilt the vote, we need to be unified," he said.Β
Bernier begins the news conference by announcing he is stepping down as CentreBC leader to make way for Milobar. Milobar had previously announced he was forming his own party.
Sturko, left, and Wat. (Justin McElroy/CBC)At the news conference outside the Vancouver Convention Centre, Teresa Wat has greeted fellow MLA independent Elenore Sturko. "Welcome home," Wat said as the pair shared a hug.Β
Sturko was removed from the Conservative caucus under former leader John Rustad, at the beginning of a year of turmoil, leadership elections and defections from the party.
Milobar at the B.C. Legislature in February. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)Iβm a political reporter at the news conference in Vancouver. Speculation has grown that Bernier and Milobar will join forces, for a simple reason: Milobarβs group of likeminded MLAs who have left the B.C. Conservatives are not officially registered as a political party with Elections B.C. β and the elections agency doesnβt register new parties during a byelection campaign, which is currently underway in Abbotsford-Mission.Β
That means a snap provincial election before that byelection on Sept. 26 would prevent them from being on ballots as an official party, and they would instead be considered independents. So, they need to find a registered party to join forces with.Β
Meanwhile, the CentreBC party β led by Bernier, a former B.C. Liberal and B.C. United MLA β wants to compete in the next election, but have fewer organizers surrounding them than Milobar, and no sitting MLAs. So it's understandable why some sort of agreement has been discussed.Β
MLAs Trevor Halford, left, Claire RattΓ©e, center, and John Rustad, right, are the latest departures from the B.C. Conservative caucus. (B.C. Legislature)Itβs already been a tumultuous day in B.C. politics with three more MLAs β Trevor Halford, Claire RattΓ©e and former leader John Rustad β departing the B.C. Conservative Party caucus, bringing the number of MLAs who have left since Kerry-Lynne Findlay became leader in May to an even dozen.
Milobar in Vancouver in April. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)Is a snap B.C. general election imminent? It's hard to say for sure, but at 1:15 p.m. PT,Β former Conservative caucus member Peter Milobar and Mike Bernier, leader of the new CentreBC party, are holding a joint news conference in Vancouver.
