LOCAL

Yuri Fulmer Emerges as a Key Contender in the BC Conservative Leadership Race

Published

6 months ago

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Key Takeaways

Chad Dashly – current news room

  • The Conservative Party of British Columbia will elect a new leader on May 30, 2026.
  • Nine candidates are competing, including MLAs, former federal politicians, and business leaders.
  • Businessman Yuri Fulmer is increasingly viewed as a unifying candidate with strong private-sector credibility.
  • Leadership races are often decided by organization, membership growth, and second-choice support.
  • Fulmer’s community ties and pragmatic approach may position him as a consensus choice for party members.

The Deep Dive

The race to lead the Conservative Party of British Columbia is shaping up to be one of the most consequential political contests in the province ahead of the next provincial election. With the leadership vote scheduled for May 30, 2026, the party is preparing to choose the person who will lead conservatives into the next electoral battle.

Nine candidates have been approved to run in the leadership contest:

  • Bruce Banman (MLA)
  • Harman Bhangu (MLA)
  • Iain Black
  • Caroline Elliott
  • Kerry-Lynne Findlay
  • Yuri Fulmer
  • Warren Hamm
  • Darrell Jones
  • Peter Milobar (MLA)

Each candidate brings a different perspective to the race. Some come from political backgrounds, others from business or policy leadership roles. But as the campaign develops, attention is increasingly turning to candidates who can both unite the party internally and broaden its appeal across British Columbia.

A Business Leader Entering Politics

Among the candidates drawing attention is entrepreneur and community leader Yuri Fulmer. Known for his work in the hospitality and business sectors, Fulmer has built a reputation as someone capable of bringing people together around economic growth and opportunity.

Unlike some candidates who come from long careers inside politics, Fulmer represents a different profile — a private-sector leader stepping into the political arena. That outsider perspective is appealing to many party members who believe the Conservative movement in BC must expand beyond traditional political circles in order to win a provincial election.

Supporters argue that Fulmer’s background gives him practical experience in leadership, management, and economic development. Those qualities, they say, are exactly what voters are looking for at a time when affordability, job creation, and economic growth dominate the political conversation across the province.

The Dynamics of the Leadership Race

Leadership contests in Canadian political parties are rarely decided by early polling alone. Instead, they are shaped by organization, fundraising, and the ability to sign up new members who will ultimately cast ballots in the race.

Candidates with strong grassroots operations often outperform expectations, particularly when voting systems allow for ranked ballots or multiple rounds of counting. In those systems, a candidate who is broadly respected and acceptable across different factions can emerge as the winner.

That dynamic may play to Fulmer’s advantage. His reputation as a community-focused leader has helped him connect with a wide range of supporters, from business owners to grassroots conservatives looking for a practical and forward-looking vision for the party.

Several other candidates bring significant strengths to the race. Some have legislative experience, others have federal political connections, and some appeal strongly to particular ideological factions within the party. But leadership races often reward candidates who can bridge those different groups.

A Message Focused on Growth

One of Fulmer’s key themes throughout the race has been the idea that the Conservative Party must become a broader coalition capable of winning across urban, suburban, and rural communities in British Columbia.

That strategy reflects a larger political reality: defeating the governing New Democratic Party will require expanding the Conservative base and appealing to voters who may not traditionally identify with the party.

By emphasizing economic growth, community leadership, and practical problem-solving, Fulmer is positioning himself as a candidate who can unite conservatives while also reaching voters beyond the party’s core supporters.

Why It Matters

The outcome of the BC Conservative leadership race will shape the province’s political landscape for years to come. The next leader will be responsible not only for organizing the party internally but also for presenting a credible alternative government to British Columbians.

In recent years, the Conservative brand in BC has undergone significant change, with the party experiencing renewed attention and membership growth. The leadership race is therefore about more than simply choosing a leader — it is about defining the party’s direction and identity moving forward.

For many members, the key question is which candidate can unite the party, expand its appeal, and present a strong vision for the province’s future. Supporters of Yuri Fulmer believe his combination of business experience, community involvement, and collaborative leadership style may position him well to do exactly that.

As the race continues and campaigns intensify across the province, one thing is clear: the next leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia will play a central role in shaping the province’s political future.

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COMMUNITY

How You Can Watch and Question Kamloops Candidates Ahead of the October Election

Watch Kamloops mayoral and council candidates answer questions in livestreamed election forums on Sept. 23, followed by a Sept. 24 in-person event.

Published

8 hours ago

on

September 12, 2026

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Full Day of Virtual Candidate Panels Scheduled

Kamloops residents will be able to evaluate local election candidates on Wednesday, Sept. 23, during an extensive lineup of virtual sessions. The upcoming event is jointly hosted by Castanet Kamloops and the Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce.

The programming opens with three separate councillor discussions running from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., noon to 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Following these, the mayoral candidates will participate in a dedicated forum scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Standardized Questions and Viewing Access

To ensure direct comparisons between contenders running for the same seat, each participant will respond to a uniform set of inquiries. Organizers are gathering these questions from event sponsors, community partners, the Chamber, Castanet, and local voters.

Although members of the public cannot attend in person, organizers are looking into possibilities for local public viewing parties. The sessions will be broadcast live on Castanet, with digital recordings remaining accessible online until voting day on Oct. 17.

“Local elections shape decisions that affect every business in this city, from housing to infrastructure to how we grow,” said Acacia Pangilinan, executive director of the Chamber. “These forums give candidates a real opportunity to speak to those issues, and give our members and the broader community a clear way to hear from everyone running for mayor and council before they vote.”

In-Person Senior-Focused Event Planned

A separate, free public forum will take place the following day on Thursday, Sept. 24. Hosted by incumbent councillor Nancy Bepple, this in-person event is scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Mount Paul Community Food Centre, located at 140 Laburnum St.

This second session invites attendees to pose questions directly to candidates regarding matters affecting seniors along with the wider community.

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LOCAL

What to Know as Final Municipal Candidate Lists Take Shape Across the Region

Six mayoral candidates emerge in Kamloops as candidate lists take shape across the region ahead of the upcoming October 17 municipal elections.

Published

14 hours ago

on

September 12, 2026

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Six-Way Mayoral Race Highlighted in Kamloops

Voters in Kamloops will select from six candidates for mayor in next month’s municipal election following Friday’s 4:00 p.m. application deadline. Incumbent Reid Hamer-Jackson is seeking re-election against current councillor Mike O’Reilly alongside former councillors Nelly Dever and Ray Dhaliwal. Two late additions to the ballot, design contractor Ivory Winston and social worker Kris Middleton, were revealed after the deadline passed. A total of 29 individuals are vying for council seats, including seven incumbents.

Contested Races and Acclamations Across Surrounding Municipalities

Competitions for mayor are set across several neighbouring communities. In Merritt, mayor Mike Goetz faces challenger Gordon Keyser, while all six incumbent councillors and two new contenders are seeking office. Former Cache Creek mayor John Ranta reversed a previous decision to step down and joins Annette Pittman and Wendy Coomber on the ballot. Incumbent Barbara Roden will compete against Eric Poole in Ashcroft, while Williams Lake mayor Surinderpal Rathor faces former mayor Walt Cobb. In 100 Mile House, Maureen Pinkney is challenged by David Jurek, and Lytton mayor Denise O’Connor faces councillor Jennifer Thoss.

In Clearwater, councillor Shelley Sim is challenging incumbent mayor Merlin Blackwell while simultaneously running for a seat on the Kamloops-Thompson School District Board of Education. Several communities will not hold mayoral elections due to acclamations, including Barriere with Rob Kerslake, Logan Lake with Robin Smith, and Clinton with Roland Stanke. Race car driver Jason White is the sole mayoral candidate in Sun Peaks, as incumbent Rob O’Toole is running for a council seat instead.

Regional District and School Board Elections

Voters in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District will cast ballots in just two of ten electoral areas. Area ‘E’ features incumbent Jim Smith against former director Sally Watson, and Area ‘I’ pits incumbent Tricia Thorpe against former director Steven Rice. Meanwhile, 16 candidates, including five incumbents, are competing for five Kamloops seats on the Kamloops-Thompson School District Board of Education. Rural school board races include Shelley Sim against TNRD director Lee Onslow in the Clearwater area, and incumbent Cara McKelvey against Marie McGivern in Logan Lake. Local officials may update candidate lists as packages are finalized ahead of the October 17 election.

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COMMUNITY

New Agreement to Bring Forestry Jobs and Management to Osoyoos Indian Band

The Osoyoos Indian Band and Gorman Group partner through Similkameen Forest Products Ltd. to manage TFL 59, bringing jobs and local planning to the OIB.

Published

14 hours ago

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September 12, 2026

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Direct Role in Planning TFL 59

A new partnership between the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) and the Gorman Group, signed via Similkameen Forest Products Ltd., ensures the OIB will participate directly in managing Tree Farm Licence 59. Located in the band’s traditional territory east of Oliver, the forest licence area will now involve early-stage planning by Nk’Mip Forestry LLP, the OIB’s forestry company.

Community Benefits and Local Economic Impact

The joint arrangement focuses on keeping local forestry benefits within the community. “This partnership will help create more jobs, specific training opportunities, and longer-term revenue for the Osoyoos Indian Band and our people,” said OIB Chief Clarence Louie. He added that the agreement enables the OIB to build skills and experience for future responsibilities while strengthening its position in the local forest economy.

Balancing Cultural Priorities and Industrial Supply

Nk’Mip will collaborate with Similkameen Forest Products Ltd. to plan proposed harvest sites. Their work will incorporate considerations for wildlife habitat, forest health, water quality, wildfire resilience, and sites of cultural or traditional importance. Norm Druck, South Zone Woodlands Manager for the Gorman Group, emphasized the area’s dual significance, noting that this portion of land represents the cultural heartland of the band—supporting traditional medicines, food, jobs, and spiritual well-being—while also supplying timber for the Gorman Group’s regional manufacturing facilities.

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