Two distinct efforts are taking shape to offer British Columbians a more moderate alternative to the current political landscape, yet disagreements between their architects threaten to fracture the centre-right vote ahead of future elections.
The standoff involves CentreBC Leader Mike Bernier and Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar, both of whom have broken from the B.C. Conservatives in recent months. Despite sharing similar values and policy goals, the two men have been unable to reach an agreement on which initiative should serve as the unifying force for voters seeking a middle-ground option between the governing NDP and the embattled Conservative opposition.
A Fractured Right-Wing Landscape
Mr. Milobar departed the Conservative caucus on 14 August, citing irreconcilable differences with party Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Delta South MLA Ian Paton followed suit ten days later, and the pair announced plans to establish a new party with Milobar acting as interim leader.
Since then, a total of nine sitting MLAs have abandoned the Conservative ranks, all pointing to concerns about leadership, internal communication, and the direction in which the party is heading. The mass exodus has amplified calls for a centrist political home, though those championing this cause have yet to settle on a single vehicle to deliver it.
Mr. Bernier, a former BC Liberal cabinet minister representing Peace River South, assumed leadership of CentreBC in July after concluding that the Conservatives under Ms. Findlay no longer reflected the views of most British Columbians. CentreBC itself was established earlier this year by former BC United MLA Karin Kirkpatrick, positioning itself as a “socially progressive, fiscally responsible choice” for disaffected voters.
The Unity Dilemma
Mr. Bernier argues that CentreBC has spent 18 months constructing the infrastructure of an established political operation, including constitutional frameworks, databases, and campaign systems. He says at least 20 prospective candidates have expressed interest in running under the party’s banner.
“I’ve had sit-down meetings with Peter and said, ‘Why would you start up something new and compete against something we’ve already started doing when we should all just be working together on a path to keep that centre, centre-right all in one tent?'” Mr. Bernier explained. He insists he harbours no personal ambition for the top position. “If we’re able to work together and Peter or somebody else wanted to be the leader of the party, by all means, let’s do that.”
For Mr. Milobar, the calculus centres on attracting sufficient sitting MLAs to give any new party immediate credibility within the legislature. “There just wasn’t traction within the MLAs I was talking to, and others that were contemplating leaving, around CentreBC,” he said. “Some have felt that some of their policy, or where they were headed, is a little left of centre for their liking.”
The Kamloops Centre MLA is currently working with legal counsel to formalise his party’s constitution, with plans to have the organisation operational when the legislature reconvenes on 5 October.
The Abbotsford-Mission Test Case
The upcoming by-election in Abbotsford-Mission on 26 September will serve as the first electoral battleground for these competing visions. Lakhwinder Jhaj will represent CentreBC in the contest, facing off against Ms. Findlay, who is seeking a seat after being parachuted into the riding following MLA Reann Gasper’s resignation, and the NDP’s Pam Alexis, a former cabinet minister.
Ms. Jhaj brings an eclectic political background, having previously sought office under the BC Liberals, the NDP, and the federal Liberal Party banners. Her candidacy will provide an early gauge of CentreBC’s electoral appeal.
Meanwhile, Ms. Findlay has remained defiant. In a statement to media, she insisted: “I was elected to lead this party, and I intend to lead it with determination, with humility and with the experience to know that strong leaders listen, learn and make changes when changes are needed.” The Conservative Leader attributed internal tensions to the party’s rapid growth, having surged from less than 2 percent of the popular vote in 2020 to nearly forming government four years later.
Why It Matters
The paralysis at the centre-right end of British Columbia’s political spectrum carries profound implications for the province’s governance. With nine MLAs now sitting as independents and multiple factions jostling for position, the risk of vote-splitting in future elections looms large. The Conservatives’ dramatic rise from political irrelevance to near-government in just one electoral cycle demonstrates the appetite for an alternative to the NDP, yet this fragmented landscape threatens to squander that momentum. Randy Hawes, the former Conservative riding association president for Abbotsford-Mission who resigned in protest at recent party machinations, put it bluntly: any division among centre-right forces is “just handing the NDP the government again.” With the next scheduled election still years away but political watchers anticipating an earlier call, the urgency to resolve this standoff cannot be overstated.
