Image credit: Bruce Banman MLA Abbotsford South

By Mike Vanden Bosch-Fraser Valley Today

ABBOTSFORD MLA BRUCE BANMAN

Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman ditches BC United, joins Conservative Party of BC

Sep 13, 2023 | 10:18 AM

ABBOTSFORD — Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman has ditched BC United, the official Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, and joined the Conservative Party of BC.

In an email Wednesday morning, Banman said that when he was first elected as MLA for Abbotsford South, he pledged to bring the concerns of everyday hard-working people and families to the forefront in British Columbia’s Legislature in Victoria.

“Today, after careful consideration, I have made the decision to join the Conservative Party of British Columbia to keep that promise to my community and my constituents,” Banman said. “I know first-hand that the Conservative Party of British Columbia is the only party that stands for what’s right in the legislature, rather than what’s politically convenient or politically correct.”

Banman has previously spoken up on issues like transportation and homelessness in Abbotsford. He said he plans to speak honestly and openly on behalf of his constituents and will oppose what he calls a “punishing carbon tax” and the “myth of safe supply.”

“We don’t support Trudeau-backed policies like the punishing carbon tax that hurts everyday people; we refuse to condone the ideological NDP education agenda that teaches students what to think instead of how to think; and, we will never support the myth of safe supply that kills British Columbians and poisons our communities with hard drugs,” Banman said.

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Banman becomes the second MLA to join the Conservative Party of BC. Last year, John Rustad left BC United after questioning climate change policies.

“I believe B.C. needs a leader who is a straight up, decent human being — and a party that’s willing to put politics aside to stand for what’s right,” Banman said. “After watching him fight for everyday British Columbians, both in BC’s legislature and all across our province — I have come to believe that leader is John Rustad, and that party is the Conservative Party of British Columbia.”