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The race to lead the British Columbia Conservative Party has been thrown into turmoil following the announcement that Peter Milobar’s longtime campaign manager, Mark Werner, is resigning amid allegations surrounding a contentious website and mail-out. This development comes at a crucial juncture in the campaign, just as candidates gear up for the final push ahead of the leadership vote.
Milobar’s Reaction to Allegations
In a statement released on Saturday, Milobar confirmed Werner’s departure, citing the need for him to focus on his family business. This news follows Milobar’s earlier comments on Thursday, where he distanced himself from a misleading campaign initiative aimed at tarnishing the reputations of former Conservative leader John Rustad and Richmond MLA Teresa Wat. Milobar declared, “Let me be clear, I would never stand for those political tactics, most specifically, the horrendous allegations against Teressa Wat.”
These remarks come in the wake of Elections B.C. imposing a fine of $4,500 on B.C. United for disseminating false information intended to influence electoral outcomes, directly linked to the controversial website that surfaced in August 2024. The website, which falsely claimed to be the work of disgruntled Conservatives, was, according to Elections B.C., orchestrated by B.C. United officials who engaged the services of a political consulting firm, Sovereign North Strategies Inc.
The Fallout and Leadership Implications
Elections B.C. revealed that the smear campaign was executed under the direction of B.C. United’s campaign manager at the time, a role that Werner occupied. While Werner has publicly maintained that he had no involvement in the project, Milobar indicated that he believed Werner was dismissed from his position on the same day B.C. United announced the cessation of its campaign. This was a critical moment, occurring on August 28, 2024, when Rustad and former B.C. United leader Kevin Falcon struck a deal amid alarming polling figures, leading to the collapse of B.C. United as a viable political entity.
Milobar, who previously served as the mayor of Kamloops and is viewed as a top contender to succeed Rustad, has stated that he is actively investigating the events that transpired after the campaign’s suspension.
The Broader Context of the Leadership Race
Rustad, who ascended to the leadership of the Conservatives and secured 44 seats in the 2024 general election, was ousted from his position in late 2025. He has since accused Falcon of deliberately sabotaging Conservative efforts to unseat the NDP through the controversial website. Rustad described the situation as “incredibly Machiavellian,” claiming that the website, firejohnrustad.ca, led to decreased voter turnout and potentially cost the Conservatives a significant electoral victory.
With Werner’s resignation, Milobar has announced that Jeff Conaster will now take the reins of his campaign. This leadership contest is heating up, with candidates facing an April 18 deadline to sign up new members, who will be eligible to vote next month.
Milobar is currently vying for leadership against a diverse slate of candidates, including contractor Warren Hamm, former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Iain Black, ex-federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, and commentator Caroline Elliott, who is notably related to Falcon by marriage.
The Implications for Milobar’s Candidacy
Political analysts have weighed in on how this shake-up may influence the outcome of the leadership race. Stewart Prest, a political science lecturer at the University of British Columbia, suggested that this late change in Milobar’s campaign team might bolster Elliott’s chances. Prest argued that Milobar, often seen as a voice for the moderate faction within the party, could struggle to maintain his footing amid the fallout from the controversy.
He remarked, “Milobar either looks hopelessly naive or duplicitous, given just how significant a role senior members of his campaign were playing in that effort to oust John Rustad.” Such scrutiny could hinder his position, particularly as party members reflect on the underhanded tactics that have recently come to light.
Why it Matters
This ongoing saga within the B.C. Conservative Party underscores the fragility of political alliances and the potential consequences of divisive tactics in leadership campaigns. As the party strives to present a unified front ahead of crucial elections, the ramifications of this controversy could resonate far beyond the current leadership race, impacting the party’s credibility and voter support in the months to come. The outcome of this internal strife may ultimately shape not just the immediate leadership but also the long-term direction of the party itself.
