Vancouver (Richa Walia): The B.C. Conservatives are facing criticism from CentreBC Leader Elenore Sturko after interim Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson confirmed that his party has held discussions with OneBC ahead of the provincial election.
Doerkson acknowledged that conversations had taken place with OneBC but said there was no formal agreement between the two parties. OneBC interim leader Dallas Brodie has separately indicated that she is open to an electoral arrangement with her former party.
The discussions have drawn renewed attention to the relationship between the two parties. OneBC emerged as a breakaway group from the B.C. Conservatives, with Brodie having previously been removed from the Conservative caucus after controversy surrounding comments about residential-school survivors.
Sturko, a former B.C. Conservative MLA who now leads CentreBC, is demanding greater clarity from Doerkson about the purpose of the talks. She has questioned whether the discussions could eventually lead to electoral cooperation, candidate arrangements or another form of agreement.
The controversy also follows an incident in Kamloops involving the Second Sons. Doerkson publicly condemned what he described as a white nationalist gathering and said such activity had no place in British Columbia.
Brodie has said OneBC previously made moves not to contest certain ridings where it viewed another conservative candidate as the stronger option. However, the party has since announced candidates in some of those constituencies, including Kelowna-Centre, adding another layer of tension between the parties.
With British Columbia heading to the polls on October 24, the relationship between the Conservative Party and OneBC has become a significant issue within the province’s right-of-centre political landscape.
Sturko is now calling on Doerkson to explain publicly what was discussed with OneBC and whether any formal political cooperation is being considered. Doerkson, meanwhile, has said there is currently no formal deal.
