A British Columbia Liberal Party leadership election was held on February 3, 2018, due to the resignation of Christy Clark as Liberal leader on August 4, 2017. Rich Coleman was elected interim leader announcing that he has no intention of running for leader, but would resign as interim leader if he changed his mind, adding that he did not anticipate changing his mind.
Background
Under leaders Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark, the BC Liberal Party governed the province from 2001 until June 2017. In May 2017, the provincial election resulted in a hung parliament, with the Liberals holding 43 seats, one short of the 44 required for a majority. Clark initially formed a minority government, but resigned as premier after being defeated in a confidence vote by an alliance of the British Columbia New Democratic Party and Green Party of British Columbia. On July 28, 2017, Clark announced that she would resign as party leader and as MLA for Kelowna West on August 4. The BC Liberal Caucus selected Rich Coleman, MLA for Langley East, as interim leader, to serve until a permanent leader can be chosen.
Procedure
Party president Sharon White released a statement on Clark's resignation on the same day it was announced. This statement specified that the exact timeline and details of the leadership election process would be finalized within 28 days. As per the party's constitution, the election will give all party members a vote, but will give equal weight to all 87 constituencies in tallying the results. A preferential (ranked) ballot will be used with voting conducted online and by phone.
Timeline
May 9, 2017 – In the general election, the BC Liberals held the largest number of seats (43), ahead of the NDP (41) and Greens (3), but were one seat short of forming a majority in the Legislative Assembly. May 29, 2017 – The Green Party of British Columbia, which held the balance of power in the legislature, reached a confidence and supply agreement with the official opposition NDP. June 29, 2017 – Clark's minority government was defeated 44–42 on motion of non-confidence by the NDP-Green alliance. Subsequently, Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon turned down Clark's request for a snap election, despite Clark's argument that the legislature would be dysfunctional due to the Speaker frequently having to cast the tie-breaking vote, and instead asked NDP leader John Horgan to form a minority government. July 18, 2017 – John Horgan is sworn in as premier leading an NDP minority government. July 28, 2017 – Clark announced her resignation as Liberal leader effective August 4, 2017. Rich Coleman is elected interim leader by the party's caucus. The Liberal Party executive is to meet within 28 days to decide a timeline for the leadership election which is expected to occur within a year, and in as short a period as three months. August 29, 2017 – Nomination period opens. September 21, 2017 – Sam Sullivan declares his candidacy. September 24, 2017 – Dianne Watts announces her candidacy. September 25, 2017 – Andrew Wilkinson and Mike Bernier announce their candidacies. September 26, 2017 – Mike de Jong and Mike Lee declare their candidacies. September 29, 2017 – Official leadership event scheduled for Vancouver. October 10, 2017 – Todd Stone announces his candidacy. October 14, 2017 – Bernier withdraws, endorses de Jong. October 15, 2017 – First leadership debate, held in Surrey, British Columbia December 29, 2017, at 5 pm – Nomination deadline and deadline to become a member of the party and be eligible to vote. February 1, 2018, at 9 am – voting begins. February 3, 2018, at 5 pm – voting ends, results of the first ballot were announced at a convention in Vancouver at approximately 6 pm.
Declared candidates
Mike de Jong
Background
Mike de Jong is the MLA for Abbotsford West and formerly for the Abbotsford-Mount Lehman and Matsqui electoral districts (since 1994). He was a cabinet minister throughout BC Liberals 16 years in power under Premiers Campbell and Clark, serving as Minister of Finance (2012–17), Minister of Health (2011–12), Solicitor General (2010), Attorney General (2009–10), Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation (2006–09), Minister of Labour and Citizens' Services (2005–06), Minister of Forests (2001–05) and Government House Leader. He was previously a candidate for leader in the 2011 Leadership Election and placed fourth.