The race to replace John Rustad as leader of the B.C. Conservatives is entering its final stages, with five candidates remaining. The party's executive director, Angelo Isidorou, announced that the Conservatives now boast more than 42,000 members, a significant increase from roughly 7,000 in December. 'I think people are looking for real leadership. They're looking for a party led by an individual that is truly what we call a government in waiting,' said Isidorou.
Final Debates and Voting
On Friday, the Canada Strong and Free Network closed its annual conference in Vancouver with the first of two debates sanctioned by the party. A second authorized debate is scheduled for Tuesday, hosted by Conversations Live with Stu McNish. Online voting is set to begin in May, marking the culmination of a leadership contest that has seen a surge in party membership.
The Five Candidates
Here is a closer look at the five candidates vying for the leadership:
Iain Black
Black served as a cabinet minister in Gordon Campbell's B.C. Liberal government and has extensive business experience, including working for IBM and founding E-Z Net. He emphasized his ability to unite the caucus: 'I do believe I'm the only one that can pull that caucus together and get them election ready. I do not believe that my other competitors in this race are going to get the respect or the grace of the caucus to actually lead them there.' His policies include redeveloping the former Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam and reducing regulatory burdens for small businesses. Political analyst Stewart Prest suggests Black is in second place among fiscally conservative members, behind Peter Milobar.
Caroline Elliott
An Indigenous policy critic and commentator, Elliott has secured endorsements from former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell and former Alberta premier Jason Kenney. Her brother-in-law, Kevin Falcon, leader of B.C. United, has also shown support. However, her decision to skip an unsanctioned debate organized by Juno News has frustrated some populist supporters. Prest noted, 'For Caroline Elliott, the skipping of the Juno debate seems like it really rubbed members of that populist faction the wrong way.'
Kerry-Lynne Findlay
A longtime Conservative MP, Findlay served in the House of Commons from 2011 to 2015 and again from 2019 to 2025. She is a lawyer who has worked for ICBC, operated her own practice, and served a five-year term on the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Her experience in federal politics and legal expertise are key assets in her campaign.
The remaining candidates include Peter Milobar, who has garnered significant caucus endorsements, and others who have yet to make a major impact in public polling. As the race narrows, party members are preparing to cast their votes online in May, with the winner set to lead the B.C. Conservatives into the next provincial election.
