The B.C. Conservatives say it will announce a new leader on May 30.
The party’s leadership election organizing committee released the rules for the contest on Friday.
Trevor Halford has been serving as interim leader of the party since John Rustad stepped down in early December.
The nomination deadline for candidates is Feb. 15.
Candidates will need to pay a total of $115,000 to appear on the ballot, including a $5,000 application fee.
That’s in addition to a $20,000 refundable “compliance deposit,” with fines of up to $75,000 if candidates break the rules.
It marks a significantly higher cost of entry compared to the party’s last leadership race in 2023, which required $20,000 in fees, plus a $5,000 compliance deposit.
That race was held after the resignation of Trevor Bolin. Rustad was the only candidate and was acclaimed as leader.
The party has also set a much higher nomination threshold this year. To be approved to run, candidates will need at least 250 member signatures from at least five regions. In 2023, just 50 member signatures were required.
The rules emphasize party unity. Candidates are prohibited from making disparaging remarks about the party, its staff or the leadership election organizing committee.
There’s also little room for candidates to appeal or challenge decisions made by the party’s board or organizing committee. The rules state that all decisions “are final and not subject to any appeal or judicial, or any process of any court or tribunal or other body or authority.”
The rules also reflect concerns about potential vote manipulation, after a controversy over alleged fraudulent memberships during John Rustad’s leadership review last summer.
The contest rules state that membership signups will need to provide identifying information that matches their official voter file of Elections B.C., and verify their identity before voting. Other rules are aimed at ensuring bulk memberships are legitimate, including the use of a designated website portal.
The membership deadline is set for April 18, with voting to take place May 9-30.
A number of leadership hopefuls have already stepped forward. Kamloops-Centre MLA and finance critic Peter Milobar confirmed on Friday he plans to run. Former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Iain Black and political commentator Caroline Elliott also launched campaigns last week.
They join Vancouver businessman Yuri Fulmer, Prince George-North Cariboo MLA Sheldon Clare, and Rossland contractor Warren Hamm.
The post B.C. Conservatives announce rules, dates for leadership race appeared first on AM 1150.
