DAWSON CREEK, B.C. As the governing B.C. NDP regains its lead in provincial voting intentions, support for the B.C. Conservatives continues to fall under new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
With that in mind, Centre BC leader Mike Bernier is hitting the road in an effort to capitalize on growing dissatisfaction among centre-right voters.
Bernier departed Dawson Creek Wednesday to begin what he’s calling a province-wide “Pick-Up Tour,” a nine-day swing through communities across British Columbia aimed at recruiting members, raising funds and introducing voters to the fledgling political party.
The tour comes as a new Research Co. poll shows the B.C. NDP back in front with 44 per cent support among decided voters, compared to 39 per cent for the B.C. Conservatives.
Centre BC, founded earlier this year and now led by Bernier, registered five per cent support province-wide.
The numbers represent a significant reversal from June when the Conservatives led the NDP by 11 points, according to an Angus Reid Poll.
After the summer, we’re back to the situation we had in October of last year, a significant lead for the NDP," Mario Canseco, president of Research Co. told CTV Vancouver’s morning news. “The B.C. Conservatives connecting in some areas, particularly in the north, but not really hitting it when it comes to Metro Vancouver.”
Canseco said one of the most notable findings in the poll is the emergence of Centre BC.
“This is a new party. They just have a new leader with Mike Bernier, and they’re essentially emerging as an alternative to those who might be disappointed with the basic parties that we’ve had for the past few years,” said Conseco.
Conservatives struggling to connect
The poll also points to challenges facing the Conservative leader. Findlay’s approval rating sits at 34 per cent, while Premier David Eby’s approval rating stands at 49 per cent.
Canseco said the Conservative leader has yet to establish a meaningful connection with voters under their new leader.
“There are people who are dissatisfied with the way things are going,” Canseco said. “But unless you can establish an emotional connection with the leader ... you’re not going to climb the charts,” said Canseco
He noted Findlay’s disapproval ratings have increased since taking over the party.
“A couple of months ago, a lot of people didn’t know who Kerry-Lynne Findlay was. Now there’s more than 40 per cent who say, ‘I don’t like where this is going,’” said Conseco
According to the poll, BC Green Party leader Emily Lowan has a higher personal approval rating (38%) than Findlay who sits at 34%.
Bernier was even more blunt in his assessment, arguing the Conservatives chose the wrong leader.
“What we’re seeing right now is basically the B.C. Conservatives elected the wrong person as a leader,” Bernier said. “The NDP are foaming at the mouth excited about it because it’s instantly put them ahead in the polls,” said Bernier
He said Centre BC is attracting support from voters looking for another option.
“Going into the next election, we’re going to be looking for an alternative to beat the NDP. And that’s not going to be the B.C. Conservatives now,” Bernier added.
Recruiting disillusioned Conservatives
A major theme of Bernier’s pitch is his belief that Centre BC can become a home for Conservatives unhappy with the party’s current direction.
Bernier said many former Conservative supporters have already begun switching allegiance.
“There’s a lot of people who were B.C. Conservatives who thought they were getting something different last election, and they didn’t get it,” Bernier said. “A lot of them have started cancelling memberships and joining our group.”
He added that support is also coming from Green and NDP voters frustrated with the province’s political landscape.
“People are frustrated with what they’re seeing in the province right now in British Columbia politically, and they’re looking for an alternative, and that’s what we’re trying to give them.”
Bernier argues the Conservatives’ recent struggles stem from Findlay’s leadership, saying many long-time supporters and former B.C. Liberal coalition members no longer feel welcome in the party.
“With that purity test the B.C. Conservatives now have, a lot of these people internally are saying, ‘This is not what I signed up for or who I am or where my values are,’” Bernier said.
He added that concerns within caucus are growing as the party’s poll numbers decline, claiming Findlay is now “panicking and doing damage control” as discontent rises among some MLAs and organizers.
Claims of unrest inside Conservative caucus
Bernier also pointed to growing dissatisfaction within the Conservative caucus following Findlay’s leadership victory.
He argued some party members and MLAs have been alienated by efforts to distance the Conservatives from former B.C. Liberal figures.
“Kerry-Lynne Findlay has been very vocal about the fact that she doesn’t want to have any ties with anybody who was part of the B.C. Liberals in the past,” Bernier said. “Because of that, there’s quite a few people and MLAs and supporters inside the B.C. Conservatives that she is basically publicly saying she won’t sign nomination papers and she doesn’t want their support.”
Bernier said some elected members are questioning whether the party still offers them a political future, particularly after Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar left the party to sit as an Independent.
Bernier said he has heard rumours that as many as 12 MLA’s are considering their options.
“There’s a lot of rumblings now with Peter Milobar, who stepped away and a few other MLAs that are rumbling that they might step away,” Bernier said.
Bernier added that his phone has been ‘ringing off the hook’ as he has been talking to former MLAs, campaign organizers and party officials who he believes no longer see a path to defeating the NDP through the Conservatives.
Taking Centre BC on the road
For now, Bernier’s focus is on building recognition for a party that remains a political newcomer.
Travelling with his wife Valerie in a pickup truck, Bernier said the tour will include roughly 20 town halls and meetings across the province over nine days.
The Interior and Okanagan are being excluded from this leg of the tour because of ongoing wildfire concerns.
“We’re hopping in our pickup, and it’s the Pick-Up Tour as we head around the province,” Bernier said. “This is about picking up more members, picking up dollars and just having a good time representing the party.”
For a party that debuted at five per cent support in its first major public poll, Bernier said the goal is simple: position Centre BC as the alternative for voters who believe neither the NDP nor the Conservatives currently offer a path forward.
With files from Ian Holliday from CTVNews Vancouver and The Canadian Press