Conservative Party of British Columbia

The Conservative Party of British Columbia is a provincial political party in British Columbia, Canada. In the early half of the 20th century, the Conservatives competed with the British Columbia Liberal Party for power in the province. Since the 1950s however, the party has had only a minor presence. The current party leader is Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad, who was originally elected as a BC Liberal. Three Conservative leaders have served as premier of British Columbia: Richard McBride, William John Bowser, and Simon Fraser Tolmie. Two Conservatives have served as deputy premier, both during a coalition government in the 1940s: Royal Maitland and Herbert Anscomb. Early history Founding and early years The Conservative Party of British Columbia, known colloquially as the Tories, was formed in 1900 as the Liberal-Conservative Party. The party selected Charles Wilson as its first provincial leader. Several opposition factions contested the 1900 general election against the non-partisan government, but these were generally loose groups. In 1902, the Conservative Party convention passed a resolution to stand candidates in the next election.