Geoff Russ: B.C. conservatism belongs to the activists who Rustad tried to shut up

The next leader must embrace the new, working class coalition that is skeptical of green policies and worried about property rights

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People like Kory Teneycke and Anthony Koch do not relocate from Ontario and Quebec to direct politics on the West Coast for fun. They do so because they understand the importance of what is happening in British Columbia.

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Teneycke is the man behind Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s majorities, and Koch is a former advisor to federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who already served as the B.C. Conservative media spokesperson during the 2024 provincial election. (Koch is also a National Post contributor).

Teneycke’s announcement on Monday that he would oversee Caroline Elliott’s bid for the B.C. Conservatives is a signal flare that the post-John Rustad era is going to be intense, hard-fought, and attractive to conservatives across Canada. Elliott, a political commentator, including occasionally for National Post, with a longtime involvement in centre-right provincial politics, is expected to officially launch her campaign in the coming days.

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This leadership race will determine what the B.C. right will look like going into the province’s next general election. There will be no going back to the old catchphrases and habits of the B.C. Liberal era, though some will certainly attempt it despite the party, then renamed B.C. United, effectively merging with the B.C. Conservatives in 2024.

Trying to resurrect the carcass of a dead coalition is wishful thinking. The future belongs to those who will walk in it.

The race is already taking shape, with businessman Yuri Fulmer officially announcing that he is running to create a “grand coalition” to welcome anyone not already inside the Conservative tent. Other names are almost certain to enter, including former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Iain Black, who ran as a federal Conservative in the 2025 federal election.

Another big name expected to enter is Chris Gardner, president of the powerful Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA).

Whoever wins must understand that modern Canadian conservatism in Canada is home to far more blue-collar, unionized workers and

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