Former Education Minister latest to declare Liberal leadership bid
Posted September 25, 2017 5:41 pm.
Last Updated September 25, 2017 5:44 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – As the race to replace Christy Clark as BC Liberal leader heats up, Mike Bernier is the most prominent candidate so far from outside the Lower Mainland.
The Peace River South MLA grew up in North Vancouver, but now calls Dawson Creek home. He is vowing to listen to all British Columbians –something Bernier suggests the previous leader didn’t do, but he doesn’t mention Christy Clark’s name.
“It’s what I’m going to do to make sure I win back all those who have left this party and do every single thing possible to defeat the NDP in the next election. Let’s work together. Thank you very much everyone. Thank you.”
The former Education Minister is promising to be a team player if he doesn’t become leader.
“You will see me standing on stage next to whoever does win because at the end of the day, it’s about beating the NDP, so if it’s not me, I’ll support the other person.”
Speaking in Vancouver on the same day the Union of BC Municipalities convention started, the former mayor of Dawson Creek is also promising to kill newly-announced legislation forcing BC taxpayers to cover campaign financing.
“That should not be in there. Taxpayers should not be subsidizing political parties in the province of British Columbia.”
Former Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan was the first candidate to throw his hat in the ring, followed by former Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Andrew Wilkinson.
On Tuesday, newly-elected Vancouver-Langara MLA Michael Lee plans to officially join the race.
Others expected to declare their intentions soon include former finance minister Mike de Jong and former transportation minister Todd Stone who’s already posted a video indicating he might be next.
