---
title: "Conservative Party of BC: history and past elections | British Columbia | voche.me"
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/parties/conservative-party-of-bc/history"
last_updated: "2026-10-10T04:06:36.602Z"
meta:
  description: "When Conservative Party of BC was founded, how it has done in past British Columbia elections, and any name changes, splits or mergers along the way."
  "og:description": "When Conservative Party of BC was founded, how it has done in past British Columbia elections, and any name changes, splits or mergers along the way."
  "og:title": "Conservative Party of BC: history and past elections | British Columbia"
  "twitter:description": "When Conservative Party of BC was founded, how it has done in past British Columbia elections, and any name changes, splits or mergers along the way."
  "twitter:title": "Conservative Party of BC: history and past elections | British Columbia"
---

**

Conservative Party of BC · BC provincial 2026

# Conservative Party of BC: History and past elections

history and past elections for Conservative Party of BC, with the source and the date beside each entry.

[Back to Conservative Party of BC ](https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/parties/conservative-party-of-bc)

[**93**Candidates](https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/parties/conservative-party-of-bc/candidates) [**10/11**Issues with published policy](https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/parties/conservative-party-of-bc/platform) [**50**Sources on file](https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/parties/conservative-party-of-bc/money)

**7**Questions answered

HISTORY AND PAST ELECTIONS

## History and past elections

- ### 1903: first BC election fought on party lines

  The Canadian Encyclopedia records that in 1903 Conservative Richard McBride became the first premier to win a BC election fought along party lines. He served as premier for 12 years.

  [The Canadian Encyclopedia](https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/politics-in-british-columbia)
- ### 1952: Social Credit breaks away

  In 1952 a new party led by W.A.C. Bennett broke away from the Conservative Party and took the name Social Credit, according to The Canadian Encyclopedia.

  [The Canadian Encyclopedia](https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/politics-in-british-columbia)
- ### March 2023: John Rustad becomes leader

  Rustad, expelled from the BC Liberal caucus in 2022, joined the party in February 2023 and was named leader in March 2023. In September 2023 Bruce Banman joined him, giving the party two MLAs.

  [Business in Vancouver, via Powell River Peak](https://www.prpeak.com/economy-law-politics/biv-newsmaker-of-the-year-john-rustads-resurrection-of-the-bc-conservatives-9964562)
- ### 2024 election: 44 seats and Official Opposition

  October 19, 2024

  The party ran 93 candidates, won 44 seats and received 911,153 votes, 43.28 per cent of the valid votes. The BC NDP won 47 seats.

  [Elections BC](https://elections.bc.ca/docs/rpt/statement-of-votes-2024-provincial-election.pdf)
- ### March 2025: three MLAs leave to sit as Independents

  Dallas Brodie, Jordan Kealy and Tara Armstrong announced they would sit together as Independents, after Rustad removed Brodie over posts about residential schools, CJDC-TV reported.

  [CJDC-TV](https://www.cjdctv.com/news/article/puts-us-at-a-disadvantage-says-former-mla-as-jordan-kealy-departs-from-bc-conservatives-to-sit-as-independent/)
- ### Rustad leaves the leadership

  December 4, 2025

  Rustad officially stopped being leader on December 4, 2025, according to CBC News. Trevor Halford served as interim leader until the 2026 leadership vote.

  [CBC News](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/rustad-election-bc-9.7356107) [Black Press Media (Chilliwack Progress)](https://theprogress.com/2026/05/30/kerry-lynne-findlay-will-be-the-next-leader-of-the-b-c-conservative-party/)
- ### Kerry-Lynne Findlay wins the leadership

  May 30, 2026

  Findlay won on the fourth round with 51.0 per cent of points to Caroline Elliott’s 49.0 per cent. Iain Black, Yuri Fulmer and Peter Milobar were eliminated in earlier rounds.

  [Conservative Party of British Columbia](https://conservativebc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-30-Conservative-Party-of-BC-Leadership-Results.pdf) [Black Press Media (Chilliwack Progress)](https://theprogress.com/2026/05/30/kerry-lynne-findlay-will-be-the-next-leader-of-the-b-c-conservative-party/)
- ### Findlay resigns; Doerkson becomes interim leader

  September 20, 2026

  Findlay resigned after 14 MLAs left caucus during her time as leader. Lorne Doerkson was named interim leader the same day, Global News reported.

  [CBC News](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/kerry-lynne-findlay-resigns-as-leader-of-the-b-c-conservative-party-9.7351532) [Global News](https://globalnews.ca/news/12066889/kerry-lynne-findlay-timeline-resignation/)
- ### Election called; departed MLAs return

  September 22, 2026

  On the day David Eby called the election, Peter Milobar and six other MLAs who had joined CentreBC returned to the Conservatives, and the party said Brennan Day had also returned.

  [Vista Radio (AM 1150)](https://www.am1150.ca/89578/news/politics/centrebc-mlas-defect-back-to-the-b-c-conservatives-after-snap-election-call/) [CFJC Today](https://cfjctoday.com/2026/09/22/kamloops-centre-mla-milobar-rejoins-bc-conservatives/)
- ### Sitting MLAs approved as candidates; Rustad will not run again

  September 23, 2026

  The party said its Election Readiness Committee approved every sitting member of its caucus to run, and that John Rustad would not seek re-election.

  [Conservative Party of British Columbia](https://conservativebc.ca/every-conservative-party-of-bc-mla-approved-to-run-as-a-candidate/) [CBC News](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/rustad-election-bc-9.7356107)

## Sources

A source marked SAYS SO ITSELF is the party's own material. It proves what the party claims, not that the claim is true.

1. [Registered political parties in British Columbia, as of September 30, 2026 ](https://elections.bc.ca/docs/fin/Registered-Political-Parties-Information.pdf)Elections BC · published September 30, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
2. [Provincial candidate list, 2026 general election ](https://www.elections.bc.ca/docs/fin/GE-2026-10-24-Candidate-Website-Report.PDF)Elections BC · checked September 30, 2026
3. [Statement of votes, 2024 provincial general election ](https://elections.bc.ca/docs/rpt/statement-of-votes-2024-provincial-election.pdf)Elections BC · checked September 30, 2026
4. [Current party standings ](https://www.leg.bc.ca/members/current-party-standings)Legislative Assembly of British Columbia · checked September 30, 2026
5. [Annual allowances ](https://elections.bc.ca/candidates-parties/annual-allowances/)Elections BC · checked September 30, 2026
6. [Financial reporting and political contributions ](https://elections.bc.ca/political-participants/political-parties/financial-reporting/)Elections BC · checked September 30, 2026
7. [Financial Reports and Political Contributions System ](https://contributions.electionsbc.gov.bc.ca/pcs/Welcome.aspx)Elections BC · checked September 30, 2026
8. [Hansard, April 1, 2026, afternoon sitting ](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260401pm-Hansard-n146.html)Legislative Assembly of British Columbia · published April 1, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
9. [Hansard, April 22, 2026, afternoon sitting ](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260422pm-Hansard-n160.html)Legislative Assembly of British Columbia · published April 22, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
10. [Hansard, May 28, 2026, afternoon sitting ](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260528pm-Hansard-n188.html)Legislative Assembly of British Columbia · published May 28, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
11. [Conservative Party of BC home page ](https://conservativebc.ca/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · checked September 30, 2026
12. [Meet your Conservative team ](https://conservativebc.ca/our-team/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · checked September 30, 2026
13. [Lorne Doerkson candidate page ](https://conservativebc.ca/mla/lorne-doerkson/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · checked September 30, 2026
14. [Caroline Elliott candidate page ](https://conservativebc.ca/candidate/caroline-elliott/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · checked September 30, 2026
15. [Our platform ](https://conservativebc.ca/our-platform/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · checked September 30, 2026
16. [Latest news and updates ](https://conservativebc.ca/latest-news-updates/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · checked September 30, 2026
17. [Make British Columbia an Energy Superpower (release) ](https://conservativebc.ca/make-british-columbia-an-energy-superpower/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · published September 28, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
18. [BC Energy Superpower Plan (PDF) ](https://conservativebc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BC-ENERGY-SUPERPOWER_5_compressed.pdf)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · published September 28, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
19. [BC Conservatives welcome LNG Canada Phase 2 (statement) ](https://conservativebc.ca/bc-conservatives-welcome-lng-canada-phase-2-we-will-treat-energy-as-an-urgent-mission/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · published September 29, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
20. [Conservatives to remove PST from Canadian alcohol (release) ](https://conservativebc.ca/conservatives-to-remove-pst-from-canadian-alcohol/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · published September 29, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
21. [Conservative Party of BC pledges no new taxes (release) ](https://conservativebc.ca/conservative-party-of-bc-pledges-no-new-taxes-on-british-columbians/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · published September 27, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
22. [Statement from leader Lorne Doerkson on the NDP housing tax plan ](https://conservativebc.ca/statement-from-interim-leader-lorne-doerkson-on-the-ndps-housing-tax-plan/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · published September 25, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
23. [Every Conservative Party of BC MLA approved to run as a candidate (release) ](https://conservativebc.ca/every-conservative-party-of-bc-mla-approved-to-run-as-a-candidate/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · published September 23, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
24. [Statement on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ](https://conservativebc.ca/conservative-party-of-bc-statement-on-national-day-of-truth-and-reconciliation/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · published September 30, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
25. [Conservative Party of BC announces Surrey candidates (release) ](https://conservativebc.ca/conservative-party-of-bc-announces-strong-surrey-candidates-for-serious-times/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · published September 29, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
26. [White Rock Mayor Megan Knight to run in Surrey South (release) ](https://conservativebc.ca/white-rock-mayor-megan-knight-to-run-for-the-conservative-party-of-british-columbia-in-surrey-south/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · published September 25, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
27. [The NDP called this election (release) ](https://conservativebc.ca/the-ndp-called-this-election-now-they-wont-talk-about-why/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · published September 25, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
28. [Standing up to Trump (release) ](https://conservativebc.ca/standing-up-to-trump-takes-action-not-press-releases/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · published September 25, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
29. [Official documents ](https://conservativebc.ca/official-documents/)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · checked September 30, 2026
30. [Vote results, Conservative Party of British Columbia leadership 2026 ](https://conservativebc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-30-Conservative-Party-of-BC-Leadership-Results.pdf)SAYS SO ITSELFConservative Party of British Columbia · published May 30, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
31. [Annual financial report for 2025, with auditors’ report, as posted by the party ](https://conservativebc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CPBC-Audited-Financials-2025.pdf)Conservative Party of British Columbia · checked September 30, 2026
32. [Statements of assets, liabilities, income and expenses for 2024, as posted by the party ](https://conservativebc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CPBC-Financial-Statements-2024.pdf)Conservative Party of British Columbia · checked September 30, 2026
33. [Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigns as leader of the B.C. Conservative Party ](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/kerry-lynne-findlay-resigns-as-leader-of-the-b-c-conservative-party-9.7351532)CBC News · published September 20, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
34. [Lorne Doerkson named B.C. Conservatives interim leader following Findlay resignation ](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/lorne-doerkson-named-b-c-conservatives-interim-leader-9.7352318)CBC News · published September 21, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
35. [A look back at Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s 4 months as BC Conservative leader ](https://globalnews.ca/news/12066889/kerry-lynne-findlay-timeline-resignation/)Global News · published September 21, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
36. [5 MLAs, including former leader, returning to B.C. Conservative caucus as prospect of election looms ](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/john-rustad-rejoins-b-c-conservative-caucus-9.7352398)The Canadian Press, via CBC News · published September 21, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
37. [CentreBC MLAs defect back to the B.C. Conservatives after snap election call ](https://www.am1150.ca/89578/news/politics/centrebc-mlas-defect-back-to-the-b-c-conservatives-after-snap-election-call/)Vista Radio (AM 1150) · published September 22, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
38. [Kamloops Centre MLA Milobar rejoins BC Conservatives ](https://cfjctoday.com/2026/09/22/kamloops-centre-mla-milobar-rejoins-bc-conservatives/)CFJC Today · published September 22, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
39. [B.C. Conservatives vow new rule to keep Doerkson leader, as Rustad exits ](https://energeticcity.ca/2026/09/23/leader-of-b-c-conservatives-says-they-are-united-ready-after-snap-election-call/)The Canadian Press, via Energeticcity.ca · published September 23, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
40. [Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad not running for re-election ](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/rustad-election-bc-9.7356107)CBC News · published September 23, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
41. [Canadian Press report on the Conservative campaign and Caroline Elliott’s candidacy ](https://www.ckom.com/2026/09/26/former-b-c-conservative-leadership-candidate-caroline-elliott-will-run-in-election/)The Canadian Press, via 650 CKOM · published September 26, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
42. [Lorne Doerkson talks values as he leads B.C. Conservatives into election ](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/lorne-doerkson-leader-bc-conservatives-election-season-9.7357295)CBC News · published September 26, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
43. [BC Conservatives promise no new taxes if elected ](https://globalnews.ca/news/12075070/bc-election-september-27-conservative-platform/)Global News · published September 27, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
44. [B.C. Conservative leader pledges to triple LNG production ](https://agassizharrisonobserver.com/2026/09/28/b-c-conservative-leader-pledges-to-triple-lng-production/)Black Press Media (Agassiz Harrison Observer) · published September 28, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
45. [Party leaders make economic, budget promises in Week 2 of B.C. election campaign ](https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/b-c-eby-says-cut-185020397.html)The Canadian Press, via Yahoo Finance Canada · published September 28, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
46. [Doerkson promises to cut PST on Canadian alcohol ](https://thenorthernview.com/2026/09/29/doerkson-promises-to-cut-pst-on-canadian-alcohol/)Black Press Media (The Northern View) · published September 29, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
47. [Kerry-Lynne Findlay will be the next leader of the B.C. Conservative Party ](https://theprogress.com/2026/05/30/kerry-lynne-findlay-will-be-the-next-leader-of-the-b-c-conservative-party/)Black Press Media (Chilliwack Progress) · published May 30, 2026 · checked September 30, 2026
48. [Jordan Kealy departs from B.C. Conservatives to sit as Independent ](https://www.cjdctv.com/news/article/puts-us-at-a-disadvantage-says-former-mla-as-jordan-kealy-departs-from-bc-conservatives-to-sit-as-independent/)CJDC-TV · published March 12, 2025 · checked September 30, 2026
49. [How Rustad and Conservatives reshaped B.C.’s political map ](https://www.prpeak.com/economy-law-politics/biv-newsmaker-of-the-year-john-rustads-resurrection-of-the-bc-conservatives-9964562)Business in Vancouver, via Powell River Peak · published December 16, 2024 · checked September 30, 2026
50. [Politics in British Columbia ](https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/politics-in-british-columbia)The Canadian Encyclopedia · checked September 30, 2026

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/bc/provincial-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.