BC Liberal Leader resigns, triggering leadership election

Andrew Wilkinson has officially resigned as Leader of the BC Liberal Party, following an abysmal showing in the 2020 Provincial election. He will continue to serve as an MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena, one of 28 seats retained in the recent election.

According to Global News, the resignation triggers a one year window the party must act on. “This sets in motion the constitutionally-mandated process of selecting a new leader,” reads a statement from BC Liberal Party acting president Don Silversides. “The party executive will set a date not later than February 16, 2022 for holding a Leadership Vote.”

The BC Liberals are a coalition between federal Liberals and federal Conservatives. The party governed for well over a decade in BC and is now in a challenge to defeat a BC NDP government with a massive majority.

MLA Shirley Bond is currently serving as the party’s interim leader, following Wilkinson's resignation. The party's leadership committee is expecting to announce details soon. These details include the rules of the leadership, fees deposits, etc.

There is only one confirmed leadership candidate thus far. Skeena MLA Ellis Ross made the announcement on Thursday that he is seeking the leadership of the BC Liberals.

Other potential leadership candidates include former Finance Minister Kevin Falcon, as well as current MLA's Renee Merrifield, Tom Shypitka and Michael Lee.

There are also two outsider candidates signaling their interest in potentially running for leader. First is Aaron Gunn, one of the largest conservative commentators in the province, garnering millions of views on his content related to representing tax payers. Second is Gavin Dew, a former candidate and founder of the Forum for Millennial Leadership, a non-partisan organization that works to elect Millennials regardless of party, ideology, or level of government.