---
title: "Three Abbotsford Conservative Candidates Pull Out of October 19 Debate"
description: "Bruce Banman, Korky Neufeld, and Darryl Kropp withdrew from a provincial candidates debate scheduled for October 19 at the University of the Fraser Valley, citing a scheduling conflict. Abbotsford News reported the cancellation on October 15, 2026."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/news/abbotsford-debate-cancelled-conservatives-withdraw-2026"
last_updated: "2026-10-17T18:42:29.394Z"
---

Three Conservative Party of BC candidates in Abbotsford withdrew from an all-candidates debate scheduled for October 19 at the University of the Fraser Valley, and organizers cancelled the event, Abbotsford News reported on October 15, 2026.

[Bruce Banman](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/bruce-banman) (Abbotsford South), [Korky Neufeld](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/korky-neufeld) (Abbotsford West), and [Darryl Kropp](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/darryl-kropp) (Abbotsford-Mission) had all confirmed their attendance when the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce and UFV Student Union Society announced the event on October 13. On October 15, the organizers announced the cancellation, citing the three Conservative withdrawals.

The candidates told organizers the reason was a scheduling conflict. Abbotsford News reached out to all three but received no response by publication time.

The debate was set to cover candidates from three Abbotsford ridings: Abbotsford South, Abbotsford West, and Abbotsford-Mission. The Abbotsford News article does not say whether candidates from BC NDP or other parties had confirmed their attendance, nor whether a replacement event was being planned.

**Background on the three candidates**

Banman participated in debates in 2024 and won Abbotsford South with 59 percent of the vote. Neufeld did not participate in debates in 2024 and still won Abbotsford West with 58 percent. Kropp is new to provincial politics; he was announced as the Abbotsford-Mission candidate on September 26 after Kerry-Lynne Findlay left the party on September 20. Findlay had herself replaced 2024 winner Reann Gasper, who gave up her seat to allow Findlay to run in a by-election that was cancelled when the election writ dropped on September 22. Gasper also did not participate in debates in 2024.

The cancellation affects only the October 19 debate. The provincial election proceeds in all 93 ridings on October 24, 2026. Advance voting in Abbotsford South, Abbotsford West, and Abbotsford-Mission runs October 16 to 21 at Elections BC locations. Voters in these ridings can find candidate and district information at [/bc/provincial-2026](/bc/provincial-2026).

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