British Columbia Liberal Party The British Columbia Liberal Party, often shortened to the BC Liberals, is a Centre-right politics, centre-right provincial political party in British Columbia, Canada. The party currently forms the Official Opposition. Subsequent to the 2020 Br ...

leadership election was held on February 3, 2018, due to the resignation of Christy Clark as Liberal leader on August 4, 2017.

Rich Coleman Richard Thomas Coleman (born c. 1956) is a Canadian politician and former police officer, who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in British Columbia from 1996 to 2020, and is a former interim leader of the British Columbia Liberal P ...

was elected interim leader announcing that he has no intention of running for leader, but would resign as interim leader if he changed his mind, adding that he did not anticipate changing his mind.

Background

Under leaders Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark, the BC Liberal Party governed the province from 2001 until June 2017. In May 2017, the provincial election resulted in a hung parliament, with the Liberals holding 43 seats, one short of the 44 required for a majority. Clark initially formed a minority government, but resigned as

premier Premier is a title for the head of government in central governments, state governments and local governments of some countries. A second in command to a premier is designated as a deputy premier. A premier will normally be a head of govern ...

after being defeated in a confidence vote by an alliance of the

British Columbia New Democratic Party The New Democratic Party of British Columbia (BC NDP) is a social-democratic provincial political party in British Columbia, Canada. As of 2017, it governs the province. It is the British Columbia provincial arm of the federal New Democratic ...

and

Green Party of British Columbia The Green Party of British Columbia, often simply called the BC Greens, is a provincial political party in British Columbia, Canada. It was founded in 1983 and is based in Victoria. The party won its first seat in the Legislative Assembly of Br ...

. On July 28, 2017, Clark announced that she would resign as party leader and as MLA for Kelowna West on August 4. The BC Liberal Caucus selected

, MLA for Langley East, as interim leader, to serve until a permanent leader can be chosen.

Procedure

Party president Sharon White released a statement on Clark's resignation on the same day it was announced. This statement specified that the exact timeline and details of the leadership election process would be finalized within 28 days. As per the party's constitution, the election will give all party members a vote, but will give equal weight to all 87 constituencies in tallying the results. A preferential (ranked) ballot will be used with voting conducted online and by phone.

Timeline

*May 9, 2017 – In the

general election A general election is a political voting election where generally all or most members of a given political body are chosen. These are usually held for a nation, state, or territory's primary legislative body, and are different from by-elections ( ...

, the BC Liberals held the largest number of seats (43), ahead of the NDP (41) and Greens (3), but were one seat short of forming a majority in the Legislative Assembly. *May 29, 2017 – The

, which held the balance of power in the legislature, reached a

confidence and supply agreement In a parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster system, confidence and supply are required for a ruling cabinet to retain power in the lower house. A confidence-and-supply agreement is one whereby a party or independent members of par ...

with the official opposition NDP. *June 29, 2017 – Clark's minority government was defeated 44–42 on motion of non-confidence by the NDP-Green alliance. Subsequently, Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon turned down Clark's request for a

snap election A snap election is an election that is called earlier than the one that has been scheduled. Generally, a snap election in a parliamentary system (the dissolution of parliament) is called to capitalize on an unusual electoral opportunity or to ...

, despite Clark's argument that the legislature would be dysfunctional due to the Speaker frequently having to cast the tie-breaking vote, and instead asked NDP leader

John Horgan John Joseph Horgan (born August 7, 1959) is a Canadian politician who served as the 36th premier of British Columbia from 2017 to 2022, and also as the leader of the British Columbia New Democratic Party from 2014 to 2022. Horgan has been the ...

to form a minority government. *July 18, 2017 –

is sworn in as premier leading an NDP minority government. *July 28, 2017 – Clark announced her resignation as Liberal leader effective August 4, 2017.

is elected interim leader by the party's caucus. The Liberal Party executive is to meet within 28 days to decide a timeline for the leadership election which is expected to occur within a year, and in as short a period as three months. *August 29, 2017 – Nomination period opens. *September 21, 2017 –

Sam Sullivan Sam Sullivan (born November 13, 1959) is a Canadian politician who had served as the MLA for Vancouver-False Creek. Previously, he served as the Minister of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development with responsibility for Translink in the ...

declares his candidacy. *September 24, 2017 – Dianne Watts announces her candidacy. *September 25, 2017 – Andrew Wilkinson and

Mike Bernier Mike Bernier (born 1968) is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 2013 provincial election. He represents the electoral district of Peace River South as a member of the British Columbia L ...

announce their candidacies. *September 26, 2017 – Mike de Jong and

Mike Lee Michael Shumway Lee (born June 4, 1971) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Utah, a seat he has held since 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party. Lee began his career as a clerk for the U ...

declare their candidacies. *September 29, 2017 – Official leadership event scheduled for Vancouver. *October 10, 2017 – Todd Stone announces his candidacy. *October 14, 2017 – Bernier withdraws, endorses de Jong. *October 15, 2017 – First leadership debate, held in

Surrey, British Columbia Surrey is a city in British Columbia, Canada. It is located south of the Fraser River on the Canada–United States border. It is a member municipality of the Metro Vancouver regional district and metropolitan area. Mainly a suburban city, Surr ...

*December 29, 2017, at 5 pm – Nomination deadline and deadline to become a member of the party and be eligible to vote. *February 1, 2018, at 9 am – voting begins. *February 3, 2018, at 5 pm – voting ends, results of the first ballot were announced at a convention in Vancouver at approximately 6 pm.

Declared candidates

Mike de Jong

;Background Mike de Jong is the MLA for Abbotsford West and formerly for the Abbotsford-Mount Lehman and Matsqui electoral districts (since 1994). He was a cabinet minister throughout BC Liberals 16 years in power under Premiers Campbell and Clark, serving as Minister of Finance (2012–17), Minister of Health (2011–12), Solicitor General (2010),

Attorney General In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general or attorney-general (sometimes abbreviated AG or Atty.-Gen) is the main legal advisor to the government. The plural is attorneys general. In some jurisdictions, attorneys general also have exec ...

(2009–10), Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation (2006–09), Minister of Labour and Citizens' Services (2005–06), Minister of Forests (2001–05) and Government House Leader. He was previously a candidate for leader in the 2011 Leadership Election and placed fourth. :Date candidacy declared: September 26, 2017 :Campaign website:''
Official Website
;Endorsements *MLAs: (6)

( Peace River South, since 2013; cabinet minister 2015–2017), Stephanie Cadieux ( Surrey South, since 2017; cabinet minister 2012–2017),

( Langley East, since 1996; cabinet minister 2001–2017), Simon Gibson ( Abbotsford-Mission, since 2013), John Martin (

Chilliwack Chilliwack ( )( hur, Ts'elxwéyeqw) is a city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Chilliwack is surrounded by mountains and home to recreational areas such as Cultus Lake and Chilliwack Lake Provincial Parks. There are numerous outdoor ...

, since 2013),

Teresa Wat Teresa Wat (, born 1949 or 1950) is a Canadian politician who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 2013 provincial election. She represents the electoral district of Richmond North Centre as a member of the Britis ...

( Richmond North Centre, since 2013; cabinet minister, 2013–17) Dan Davies – Peace River North. *MPs:

Ed Fast Edward D. Fast (born June 18, 1955) is a Canadian politician who has served as the member of Parliament (MP) for Abbotsford since 2006. A member of the Conservative Party of Canada, he was Minister for International Trade and Minister for the A ...

, MP for Abbotsford since 2005. *Municipal politicians: Bill Streeper (Mayor of

Northern Rockies Regional Municipality The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM), formerly the Northern Rockies Regional District (NRRD), and before that the Fort Nelson–Liard Regional District, is a municipality in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. Although portrayed ...

since 2009) *Former MLAs:(7) Pat Bell ( Prince George-Mackenzie, 2001–13; cabinet minister, 2004–13), Ron Cantelon ( Parksville-Qualicum, 2005–2013), Gulzar Cheema (

Surrey-Panorama Ridge Surrey-Panorama Ridge was a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Canada from 2001 to 2009. Demographics Geography 1999 Redistribution Surrey-Panorama Ridge was created from *the southern half of ...

, 2001–2004), Patty Sahota ( Burnaby-Edmonds, 2001–2005), Jack Weisgerber ( Peace River South, 1986–2001; Social Credit cabinet minister 1988–1991; BC Reform Party leader 1996–2001),

Rob Nijjar Rob Nijjar (born 1967) is a Canadian Liberal politician. He has lived all his life on Vancouver's East side. He attended school in southeast Vancouver and Langara College before attending Simon Fraser University, where he earned a Bachelor's ...

(

Vancouver-Kingsway Vancouver Kingsway is a federal electoral district in British Columbia, Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada from 1953 to 1988 and since 1997. It is located in Vancouver. Demographics This riding's population i ...

, 2001–2005),

Bill Barisoff Bill Barisoff is a former BC Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly in the Province of British Columbia, Canada. Born in Oliver, he was an MLA from 1996 until 2013, representing the districts of Okanagan-Boundary, Penticton-Okanagan Va ...

(

Penticton Penticton ( ) is a city in the Okanagan Valley of the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada, situated between Okanagan and Skaha lakes. In the 2016 Canadian Census, its population was 33,761, while its census agglomeration populati ...

, 1996–2013; Speaker of the Legislature, 2005–13; cabinet minister, 2001–05). ;Other information: Proposes an all-day kindergarten program for four-year-olds, financial incentives for local governments who can complete zoning and permitting processes related to 50 residential units or fewer within 10 months, relocating government offices related to forest and lands ministry to Prince George.

Michael Lee

;Background Michael Lee is the MLA for Vancouver-Langara (since 2017). He is a lawyer by profession, a former partner at Lawson Lundell LLP and was formerly a special assistant to Progressive Conservative Prime Minister

Kim Campbell Avril Phaedra Douglas "Kim" Campbell (born March 10, 1947) is a Canadian politician, diplomat, lawyer, and writer who served as the 19th prime minister of Canada from June 25 to November 4, 1993. Campbell is the first and so far only female ...

. :Date candidacy declared: September 26, 2017 :Campaign website:''
Official Website
;Endorsements *MLAs: *MPs: Sukh Dhaliwal ( Surrey—Newton, 2006–11 & Since 2015) *Former MLAs: Suzanne Anton (

Vancouver-Fraserview Vancouver-Fraserview is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Canada. Geography Following the redistricting in 2015 based on the previous census, Vancouver-Fraserview sits in the southeastern porti ...

, 2013–17; cabinet minister 2013–17) *Former MPs:

Art Lee Arthur John Lee (; born September 30, 1947) is a Canadian politician and lawyer based in British Columbia. He served as a Liberal Party of Canada Member of Parliament (MP) representing Vancouver East from 1974 to 1979, and as the leader of the ...

former Liberal MP and former BC Liberal leader. *Other prominent individuals: Jim Benninger (2017 candidate for Courtenay-Comox), Alana DeLong (2017 candidate for

Nanaimo-North Cowichan Nanaimo-North Cowichan is a provincial electoral district in British Columbia, Canada, established by the '' Electoral Districts Act, 2008''. It is represented by Doug Routley (British Columbia New Democratic Party The New Democratic Part ...

, Alberta Progressive Conservative MLA for Calgary-Bow 2001–15, 2006 Alberta Progressive Conservative Leadership candidate), Alex Dutton (2017 candidate for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, Mark Marissen, prominent

Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada (french: Parti libéral du Canada, region=CA) is a federal political party in Canada. The party espouses the principles of liberalism,McCall, Christina; Stephen Clarkson"Liberal Party". ''The Canadian Encyclopedia' ...

strategist and the ex-husband of Christy Clark, Puneet Sandhar (2017 candidate for Surrey-Panorama) ;Other information: Proposes to eliminate LNG tax, complete the Site C dam, build rapid transit beneath the Broadway Corridor to UBC, phase out the use of disposable plastic grocery bags, increase the deposit on all beverage containers, create an enhanced internship tax credit, and increase funding and access to legal aid.

Todd Stone

;Background Todd Stone is the MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson (since 2013). He has served as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure (2013–2017), Minister Responsible for Emergency Management BC (2015–2017) and Deputy Government House Leader (2013–2017). :Date candidacy declared: October 10, 2017 :Campaign website:''
Official Website
;Endorsements *MLAs: (7) Greg Kyllo ( Shuswap, since 2013), Peter Milobar ( Kamloops-North Thompson, since 2017), Coralee Oakes ( Cariboo North, since 2013; cabinet 2013–17), Ian Paton ( Delta South, since 2017),

Linda Reid Linda Reid is a Canadian politician. She was Minister of Advanced Education and a Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. She was first elected in 1991 to represent the riding of Richmond East and was re-elected in 1996, 200 ...

(

Richmond South Centre Richmond South Centre is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Canada that was created in the 2015 redistribution from parts of Richmond Centre, Richmond East and Richmond-Steveston. It was first ...

, since 1991; cabinet minister 2001–09; deputy speaker 2009–13; Speaker 2013–17), Jane Thornthwaite ( North Vancouver-Seymour, since 2009), Steve Thomson ( Kelowna-Mission, since 2009) *Municipal politicians: (12) Lois Jackson (Mayor of Delta), Alice Maitland (Mayor of Hazelton), Rob MacDougall (Mayor of Fort St James), Terry Rysz (Mayor of

Sicamous Sicamous is a district municipality in British Columbia located adjacent to the Trans-Canada Highway at the Highway 97A junction, where Mara Lake empties into Shuswap Lake via a short narrows. Sicamous is a resort town about halfway between C ...

), Kevin Acton (Mayor of Lumby), Janice Brown (Mayor of Spallumcheen), James Baker (Mayor of

Lake Country Lake Country is a district municipality with a population of approximately 15,000 in the Okanagan Valley region of British Columbia, Canada. It is a part of the Central Okanagan Regional District, and of the Kelowna metropolitan area. The ci ...

), Greg McCune (Mayor of Enderby), John Harwood (Mayor of Clearwater), Rick Berrigan (Mayor of Chase), Mark McKee (Mayor of Revelstoke), Chris Beach (Mayor of

Burns Lake Burns Lake is a rural village in the North-western-Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada, incorporated in 1923. The village had a population of 1,779 as of the 2016 Census. The village is known for its rich First Nations heritage, an ...

), *Senators: (1) Nancy Greene Raine (Senator for BC, since 2009) *Former MLAs: (12)

Susan Brice Susan Brice is a Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district of Saanich South in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is the deliberative assembly of the Parliament of ...

( Saanich South, 2001–05; cabinet 2004–05), Peter Fassbender ( Surrey-Fleetwood, 2013–17; cabinet minister 2013–17), Kevin Krueger ( Kamloops-South Thompson and Kamloops-North Thompson, 1996–2013; cabinet minister 2007–13), Terry Lake ( Kamloops-North Thompson, 2009–17; cabinet minister 2011–17), Don McRae (

Comox Valley The Comox Valley is a region on the east coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, that includes the city of Courtenay, the town of Comox, the village of Cumberland, and the unincorporated settlements of Royston, Union Bay, Fanny ...

, 2009–17; cabinet 2011–17), Sheila Orr ( Victoria-Hillside, 2001–05), Barry Penner ( Chilliwack-Hope, Chilliwack-Kent, and Chilliwack (electoral district), 1996–2011; cabinet 2005–11),

Claude Richmond Claude Harry Richmond (born August 3, 1935) is a former BC Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly in the Canadian province of British Columbia. He represented the riding of Kamloops from 1981 to 1991 and from 2001 to 2009. He was first ...

(

Kamloops Kamloops ( ) is a city in south-central British Columbia, Canada, at the confluence of the South flowing North Thompson River and the West flowing Thompson River, east of Kamloops Lake. It is located in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, ...

, 1981–91 (

Social Credit Social credit is a distributive philosophy of political economy developed by C. H. Douglas. Douglas attributed economic downturns to discrepancies between the cost of goods and the compensation of the workers who made them. To combat what he ...

) and 2001–09; cabinet 1986–91 and 2005–08; Speaker 2001–05), Bud Smith (

, 1986–91 (

); cabinet 1988–90), Scott Hamilton ( Delta North, 2013–2017),

Wendy McMahon Wendy McMahon (born 1951 in Edmonton, Alberta) is a former Canadian politician, who was a BC Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is the deliberative assembly of ...

( Columbia River-Revelstoke, 2001–2005), Douglas Horne ( Coquitlam-Burke Mountain, 2009–2015) Gordon Wilson, ( Powell River-Sunshine Coast, 1991–2001) former BC Liberal Leader (1987–1993) *Other prominent individuals: Greg Blain (Chief of the Ashcroft Indian Band) Dan Doyle, former Chief of Staff to Christy Clark (2012–2014), John Dyble, former Deputy to the Premier and Cabinet Secretary ;Other information: Proposes to eliminate the hospital capital tax, create an agricultural electricity rate, double the Rural Dividend Fund, expand the teaching of coding in elementary and high school, delivering government programs and services online, increasing support to Buy Local campaigns and agricultural fairs, expanding trade offices in Asia, provide support for an agriplex in the Comox Valley.

Sam Sullivan

;Background

is the MLA for Vancouver-False Creek (since 2013), former Minister of Communities, Sport and Cultural Development with responsibility for Translink (2017), and former

Mayor of Vancouver The mayor of Vancouver is the head and chief executive officer of Vancouver, British Columbia, who is elected for a four-year term. The 41st and current officeholder is Ken Sim, who has held office since November 7, 2022. List indicate ...

(2005–08). He has also been president of the Global Civic Policy Society and an adjunct professor with the UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. :Date candidacy declared: September 21, 2017 :Campaign website:''
Official Website
;Other information: Proposes to privatize the Liquor Distribution Branch and elements of the health care system, introduce charter schools to BC, create a modified sales tax to replace the provincial sales tax.

Dianne Watts

;Background Dianne Watts was the Conservative MP for

South Surrey—White Rock South Surrey—White Rock (french: Surrey-Sud—White Rock) is a federal electoral district in British Columbia, Canada, that has been represented in the House of Commons of Canada since 2015. It encompass a portion of British Columbia previous ...

(2015–17), and former Mayor of Surrey (2005–14) :Date candidacy declared: September 24, 2017 :Campaign website:''
Official Website
;Endorsements *MPs: (1)

Erin O'Toole Erin Michael O'Toole (born January 22, 1973) is a Canadian politician who has been the member of Parliament (MP) for Durham since 2012. A member of the Conservative Party, O'Toole served as the party's leader and the leader of the Offici ...

( Durham, ON) *Senators: (1) Yonah Martin (

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include ...

) *Municipal politicians: (3) Lori Ackerman (Mayor of Fort St. John), Tom Gill ( Surrey City Councillor), Nelson Kinney (

Prince Rupert Prince Rupert of the Rhine, Duke of Cumberland, (17 December 1619 (O.S.) / 27 December (N.S.) – 29 November 1682 (O.S.)) was an English army officer, admiral, scientist and colonial governor. He first came to prominence as a Royalist cava ...

City Councillor) *Former MLAs: (3)

Murray Coell Murray Coell (born 1955 or 1954) is a Canadian politician. He is a former member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, representing the riding of Saanich North and the Islands, a suburb of Victoria, from 1996 through 2012. He is a BC L ...

( Saanich North and the Islands, 1996–2013),

Greg Halsey-Brandt Greg Halsey-Brandt is a Canadian politician, who served as a BC Liberal Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 2001 to 2005, representing the riding of Richmond Centre. He served as Minister of State for Intergovernmental R ...

( Richmond Centre, 2001–2005), Olga Ilich ( Richmond Centre, 2005–2009; cabinet minister, 2005–2008) *Former municipal politicians: (1) Evelina Halsey-Brandt (

Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, Virginia, the capital of Virginia, United States * Richmond, London, a part of London * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town in England * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, California, a ...

City Councillor, 2001–2014) *Other prominent individuals: (1) Lucy Sager (Businesswoman, former BC Liberal leadership contestant) *Media: (1) Kevin Diakiw (''Surrey Now-Leader'' Columnist)

Andrew Wilkinson

;Background Andrew Wilkinson is the MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena (since 2013), and former

(2017), Minister of Advanced Education (2014–17) and Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services (2013–14). He also served as Deputy Minister of Economic Development (2003–06) and Deputy Minister for Intergovernmental Relations (2001–03). He is a doctor and a lawyer by profession, and a former

Rhodes Scholar The Rhodes Scholarship is an international postgraduate award for students to study at the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom. Established in 1902, it is the oldest graduate scholarship in the world. It is considered among the world' ...

. :Date candidacy declared: September 25, 2017 :Campaign website:''
Official Website
;Endorsements *MLAs: (13) Donna Barnett ( Cariboo-Chilcotin, since 2009; cabinet minister 2016–17),

Doug Clovechok Doug Clovechok is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 2017 provincial election.Columbia River-Revelstoke, since 2017), Joan Isaacs ( Coquitlam-Burke Mountain, since 2017), Linda Larson (

Boundary-Similkameen Boundary-Similkameen is a provincial riding formed in 2008. It includes the populations of Penticton-Okanagan Valley, West Kootenay-Boundary and Yale-Lillooet. The riding's name corresponds to that of a former riding in the same area, with s ...

), since 2013),

Norm Letnick Norm Letnick (born 1957) is a Canadian politician, currently British Columbia's assistant deputy speaker, who was first elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 2009 provincial election and re-elected in 2013, 2 ...

( Kelowna-Lake Country, since 2009; cabinet minister 2012–17), Mike Morris ( Prince George-Mackenzie, since 2013; cabinet minister; 2015–17),

Mary Polak Mary Ruth Polak (born 1967 or 1968) is a Canadian politician, who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (MLA) for the riding of Langley from 2005 to 2020. She was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Co ...

( Langley, since 2005; cabinet minister 2008–17),

Tracy Redies Tracy Redies is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 2017 provincial election.Surrey-White Rock, since 2017), Ellis Ross ( Skeena, since 2017),

John Rustad John Rustad (born 1963) is a Canadian member of the Legislative Assembly of the Canadian province of British Columbia. He currently represents the constituency of Nechako Lakes, which he has held since the 2009 election. He was first elect ...

( Nechako Lakes, since 2005; cabinet minister 2013–2017), Tom Shypitka (

Kootenay East Kootenay East (also known as Kootenay East—Revelstoke) was a federal electoral district in British Columbia, Canada, that was represented in the House of Commons of Canada from 1917 to 1968 and from 1979 to 1997. This riding was created a ...

, since 2017),

Michelle Stilwell Michelle Stilwell (''nee'' Bauknecht; born July 4, 1974) is a Canadian wheelchair racer and politician. She is the only female Paralympic athlete to win gold medals in two separate summer sport events. Stilwell was elected to the Legislative ...

( Parksville-Qualicum, since 2013; cabinet minister, 2015–17),

Laurie Throness Laurie Throness (born 1958) is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in the 2013 provincial election. He represented the electoral district of Chilliwack-Kent as a member of the British Columbi ...

( Chilliwack-Kent, since 2013) *Municipal politicians: Paul Ives, Mayor of Comox (since 2008) *Former MLAs: (2)

Bill Bennett William Richards Bennett, (April 14, 1932 – December 3, 2015) was the 27th premier of British Columbia from 1975 to 1986. He was a son of Annie Elizabeth May (Richards) and former Premier, W. A. C. Bennett. He was a 3rd cousin, twice removed ...

(

, 2001–2017), Linda Reimer ( Port Moody-Coquitlam) ;Other information: Proposes to privatize government-owned liquor stores, abolish the small business income tax for family businesses, create an office to attract American investment to BC, and create a northern premier and cabinet office in Prince George with video-conferencing services to representatives in Victoria.

Withdrawn candidates

Mike Bernier

;Background

is the MLA for Peace River South (since 2013), former Minister of Education (2015–17), and former councillor (2005–08) and mayor (2008–13) of

Dawson Creek Dawson Creek is a city in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. The municipality of had a population of 12,978 in 2016. Dawson Creek derives its name from the creek of the same name that runs through the community. The creek was named after ...

. ;Endorsements *MLAs: (1) Dan Davies (

Peace River North Peace River North is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Canada. It was created under the name North Peace River by the ''Constitution Amendment Act, 1955'', which split the old riding of Peace Ri ...

, since 2017) Date candidacy declared: September 25, 2017
Campaign website:''
Official Website
br /> Date withdrawn: October 14, 2017
Subsequently endorsed: Mike de Jong
Reason: Bernier withdrew citing an inability to amass support in the Lower Mainland. Supported de Jong based on de Jong's experience.

Lucy Sager

;Background Lucy Sager is a businesswoman who lives in

Terrace Terrace may refer to: Landforms and construction * Fluvial terrace, a natural, flat surface that borders and lies above the floodplain of a stream or river * Terrace, a street suffix * Terrace, the portion of a lot between the public sidewalk an ...

.
Date candidacy declared: September 20, 2017
Campaign website:''
Official Website
br /> Date withdrawn: November 2, 2017
Subsequently endorsed: Dianne Watts
Reason: Sager withdrew citing her belief that Watts would give the best chance to defeat the NDP.

Declined

George Abbott George Francis Abbott (June 25, 1887 – January 31, 1995) was an American theatre producer, director, playwright, screenwriter, film director and producer whose career spanned eight decades. Early years Abbott was born in Forestville, New Y ...

, MLA for Shuswap (1996–2013), former Minister of Health and Minister of Education, 2011 leadership candidate. * Iain Black, MLA for

Port Moody-Westwood Port Moody-Westwood was a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia is the deliberative assembly of the Parliament of British Columbia, in the province o ...

(2005–2011), former Minister of Labour, Minister of Labour and Citizens Services, and Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development. *

, interim leader, MLA for Langley East (previously

Fort Langley-Aldergrove Fort Langley-Aldergrove was a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Canada. It was created for the 1991 election from the dual member Langley riding and abolished in 2017 into Langley East Langley E ...

) (1996–present), and former Deputy Premier (2012–2017). * Herb Dhaliwal, Liberal MP for Vancouver South (1993–1997) and Vancouver South—Burnaby (1997–2004), former federal Minister of National Revenue,

Minister of Fisheries and Oceans The minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard () is the minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet responsible for supervising the fishing industry, administrating all navigable waterways in the country, and overseeing the o ...

and

Minister of Natural Resources The minister of natural resources () is the minister of the Crown in the Canadian Cabinet who is responsible for Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). In addition to NRCan, the minister oversees the federal government's natural resources portfoli ...

. * Peter Fassbender, MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood (2013–2017), Mayor of Langley (2005–2013) *

Kevin Falcon Kevin Falcon (born 1963) is a Canadian financial executive and a provincial politician who is the leader of the British Columbia Liberal Party as of 2022, and the Leader of the Opposition as of May 2022. He is the member of the Legislative Assemb ...

, financial executive, former MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale, Deputy Premier, and BC Liberal leadership candidate (2011). * Jas Johal, MLA for Richmond-Queensborough (2017–present), former broadcaster * James Moore,

Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in ...

MP for Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam (2000–2004) and

Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam was a federal electoral district in British Columbia, Canada, that was represented in the House of Commons of Canada from 2004 to 2015. Demographics Consisting of the following parts of the Greater Vanc ...

(2004–2015), former federal

Minister of Industry The industry minister is a cabinet position in a government. The title may refer to the head of the governmental department that specializes in industry. This position may also be responsible for trade and employment, areas that fall under the min ...

and Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. *

, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum (2013–present), Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation (2015–2017) * Carole Taylor, former MLA for Vancouver-Langara, former Finance Minister (2005–2008), former chair of the

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (french: Société Radio-Canada), branded as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian public broadcaster for both radio and television. It is a federal Crown corporation that receives funding from the governme ...

(2001–2005)

Opinion polls

All British Columbians

Results

: = Eliminated from next round : = Winner

Riding results

References

{{reflist, 2 British Columbia Liberal Party leadership elections British Columbia Liberal Liberal British Columbia Liberal Party leadership election