Former B.C. MLA launches new pragmatic, centrist party [Video]

A former member of the British Columbia legislature has launched a new political party called CentreBC, aiming to push back against what she describes as polarization in provincial politics.

Karin Kirkpatrick, who represented West Vancouver-Capilano between 2020 and 2024, says she has heard from “countless” B.C. residents about “the lack of a pragmatic, centrist choice for voters” in the province.

She says there is a clear demand for a party “focused on evidence-based policy, fiscal responsibility and a balanced approach to governing.”

Kirkpatrick was elected under the former BC Liberal banner in 2020 and continued sitting in the legislature when the party rebranded to become BC United in 2023.

But the leader of the party, Kevin Falcon, withdrew BC United ahead of the provincial election last fall to throw his support behind John Rustad’s Conservatives, who went on to form the Opposition.

Asked about the move on Thursday at an …