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

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.

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