BC United Leader Kevin Falcon has announced the suspension of the Official Opposition’s election campaign, throwing support behind the rival B.C. Conservatives.
Here is a timeline of events leading up to the unravelling of BC United, less than eight weeks before the B.C. election:
Aug. 18, 2022: Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad is removed from the then-BC Liberal caucus by leader Kevin Falcon, over comments suggesting climate change was not caused by carbon dioxide emissions.
Feb. 16, 2023: Rustad joins B.C. Conservatives, becoming the party’s only member in the legislature.
April 12, 2023: The BC Liberals officially change their name to BC United, a move championed by Falcon.
Sept. 12, 2023: Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman leaves BC United to join the BC Conservatives.
May 24, 2024: Falcon says the BC Conservatives have rejected a deal to avoid vote-splitting, blaming Rustad’s “own ambition”.
May 31: Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson leaves BC United to join the Conservatives.
June 3: Surrey South MLA Elenore Sturko, who had been a star recruit for BC United, leaves the party and joins the Conservatives, with polls showing her new party far ahead of her old one.
July 30: Richmond North Centre MLA Teresa Wat quits BC United to join the Conservatives.
Aug. 13: Falcon promises to raise the earnings threshold for provincial income tax to $50,000.
Aug. 27: Falcon warns that the B.C. Conservatives “are at risk of becoming a conspiracy party, not a Conservative party,” citing social media remarks by candidates.
Aug. 27: Falcon and Rustad hold discussions about the election.
Aug. 28: Falcon says he’s suspending BC United’s election campaign in favour of the B.C. Conservatives.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 28, 2024.
