By Canadian Press

A timeline of how BC United unravelled, less than two months before election

Aug 28, 2024 | 4:38 PM

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon has announced the suspension of the Official Opposition’s election campaign, throwing support behind the rival B.C. Conservatives.

Here is a timeline of events leading up to the unravelling of BC United, less than eight weeks before the B.C. election:

Aug. 18, 2022: Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad is removed from the then-BC Liberal caucus by leader Kevin Falcon, over comments suggesting climate change was not caused by carbon dioxide emissions.

Feb. 16, 2023: Rustad joins B.C. Conservatives, becoming the party’s only member in the legislature.

April 12, 2023: The BC Liberals officially change their name to BC United, a move championed by Falcon.

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Sept. 12, 2023: Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman leaves BC United to join the BC Conservatives.

May 24, 2024: Falcon says the BC Conservatives have rejected a deal to avoid vote-splitting, blaming Rustad’s “own ambition”.

May 31: Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson leaves BC United to join the Conservatives.

June 3: Surrey South MLA Elenore Sturko, who had been a star recruit for BC United, leaves the party and joins the Conservatives, with polls showing her new party far ahead of her old one.

July 30: Richmond North Centre MLA Teresa Wat quits BC United to join the Conservatives.

Aug. 13: Falcon promises to raise the earnings threshold for provincial income tax to $50,000.

Aug. 27: Falcon warns that the B.C. Conservatives “are at risk of becoming a conspiracy party, not a Conservative party,” citing social media remarks by candidates.

Aug. 27: Falcon and Rustad hold discussions about the election.

Aug. 28: Falcon says he’s suspending BC United’s election campaign in favour of the B.C. Conservatives.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 28, 2024.

The Canadian Press