BC Conservatives pumped by poll results Surge in popularity has BC party picturing elected representatives in Victoria

MORNING STAR STAFF Mar. 21, 2018 7:30 a.m.NEWS

A surge in the polls has the BC Conservative party picturing representatives elected to Victoria. Mainstreet Media released a poll Monday showing the BC Conservative Party has 8.9 per cent support provincewide, and 15.9 per cent in the province when Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island are removed from the equation. The polling firm surveyed 1,511 British Columbians aged 18 and over March 5 and 6. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 2.52 per cent and is accurate 19 times out of 20. “Thanks to the hard work of the board and my advisory team, as well as individual members of the party, we are well on our way to sending Conservative MLAs to Victoria,” said Vernon city councillor Scott Anderson, interim leader of the BC Conservatives. “We haven’t seen this kind of surge in the polls for several years, and now that the BC Liberals have elected a Trudeau Liberal as leader, the BC Conservatives are the only credible voice for conservatism in British Columbia.” Anderson believes the surge is due to the emergence of his party as a credible, responsible alternative to the tax-and-spend BC Liberal party at a time of impending economic crisis in British Columbia. “The BC NDP, with the active collusion of the Green Party, has raised taxes on individuals, put heavier burdens on businesses, municipalities, and public organizations like school districts, and have even managed to start a trade war with a neighbouring province over a pipeline crucial to Canada’s economic interests,” said Anderson. “And in April they will raise the BC Liberal Carbon tax to the highest level ever, which means that the price of virtually everything will go up too.” By way of contrast to the three other parties, the BC Conservatives have proposed forward thinking economic ideas, including support for Kinder Morgan, Site C and the Ajax Mine, and a broad endorsement of responsibly regulated resource development, said Anderson. In addition, the party will abolish the hated Carbon Tax, reform ICBC and expose it to the private sector, and introduce legislation for new innovations like ride sharing and autonomous vehicles. “We want to encourage technological advances in clean energy, resource development, and consumer products, and we think B.C. can be a leader in Canadian innovation,” said Anderson. “But none of that is going to happen if the other three parties keep throwing stumbling blocks in front of economic development.” The BC Conservatives, he said, are a “big-tent conservative party dedicated to lower taxation, efficient service delivery, and smaller, more effective government.”
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https://www.mainstreetresearch.ca/horgan-ndp-five-point-lead-liberals/

Kelowna West By election Results

https://electionsbcenr.blob.core.windows.net/electionsbcenr/BY-KLW-2018-02-14_Party.html

Anderson happy with Kelowna West candidate

ROGER KNOXJan. 24, 2018 2:30 p.m.NEWS Morning Star

The interim leader of the BC
Conservative Party is thrilled with the party candidate for the Kelowna West by-election. Vernon councillor Scott Anderson said Mark Thompson is a man he’s proud to stand behind.“The citizens of Kelowna West deserve better and they should demand better,” said Anderson. “In Mark, they will find an accomplished individual and a seasoned politician. I can’t think of anyone better able to present our common sense platform to the citizens of West Kelowna.” Thompson had a long history with the B.C. Conservatives. He has served in various roles including deputy leader of the party. He is a fiscal conservative, said Anderson, a forward thinker and an excellent communicator. Thompson is a former three-term councillor for the City of Saskatoon with an MBA and owns several successful IT-related businesses providing solutions to the retail sector. He has lived in B.C. for more than two decades.The by-election will be held Feb. 14. It was called after MLA and former Premier Christy Clark resigned Aug. 4, 2017. A by-election must be called within six months of the resignation date.

Driverless legislation pushed

Darren Handschuh - CASTANET Dec 21, 2017 / 3:07 pm | Story: 214639

The BC Conservatives think the province should take the wheel when it comes to driverless cars. Scott Anderson, interim leader of the BC Cons, believes British Columbia should be at the forefront of the coming transportation revolution by proactively introducing framework legislation to allow autonomous vehicles on our roads. The party proposes legislation to allow autonomous vehicle testing on B.C. streets, similar to the legislation enacted in Ontario, but further reaching, as in the case of Virginia, where autonomous vehicles can be tested in real-world conditions. According to Anderson, automakers and some technology companies hope to begin deploying driverless vehicles around 2020, and at least one manufacturer of light autonomous vehicles is ready for deployment as early as next year. In terms of heavy trucking, Loblaw Companies Ltd. has already pre-ordered 25 electric self-driving trucks from Tesla. The autonomous programming software is already installed in them, but dormant because there is no legislation for its use. Meanwhile, as of 2017 33 US states have introduced autonomous vehicle legislation and 21 states have actually passed legislation related to autonomous vehicles. "We are at the cusp of a revolution in transportation that will rival the transition from horse to automobile in importance," said Anderson. "Autonomous vehicles are coming far faster than we think, and coupled with the cheap, clean energy that Site C and other development projects will produce, these technologies will revolutionize our existence...everything from our use of streets to how we work and live will be impacted." Autonomous vehicles are expected to save lives, lower insurance costs, and reduce injuries. Various studies have found that human error is the culprit in between 90-97 per cent of crashes, and a 2014 study found that U.S. traffic crashes cost society $836 billion annually.

NEW INTERIM LEADER OF BC CONSERVATIVES VOWS TO KEEP SERVING VERNON AS CITY COUNCILLOR

NEWS RELEASE October 4, 2017

NEW INTERIM LEADER OF BC CONSERVATIVES VOWS TO KEEP SERVING VERNON AS CITY COUNCILLOR

VERNON BC-The British Columbia Conservative Party is pleased to announce that Scott Anderson has been appointed the party's Interim Leader. The appointment was confirmed by an unanimous decision by the newly elected Board of Directors immediately following the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Langley, British Columbia on Saturday, September 30, 2017.

Scott Anderson is a long time member and a four term board member of the BC Conservatives, having served on the Executive Board as a Member at Large since 2013. He has variously served the party as Chair of the Policy Committee, Election Readiness Committee, and most recently as Director of Communications.

Anderson is a business owner, recently retired (2017) military officer (Reserves), and has been serving as a City Councillor in Vernon, BC, since 2014. His education is in Political Studies with a focus on international relations, and he is currently finishing a Master's degree in international relations at the University of British Columbia, preparatory to pursuing a doctorate in the same field.

"I am deeply honoured to be entrusted with the role of Interim Leader of this great party," said Anderson. "But I want to assure my constituents in Vernon that my commitment to them as a City Councillor will be in no way diminished. My role on City Council will remain unchanged, my commitment to that role will remain unchanged, and I will continue to serve in any capacity the Mayor deems appropriate."

The term of Interim Leader will last until a new leader is elected by the general membership of the BC Conservatives in 2018.
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For more information:

Scott Anderson, Interim Leader, BC Conservative Party

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCConservativeParty/

Twitter: @Conservative_BC

Telephone: (250) 540 2333

http://www.bcconservative.ca/

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See Also:
http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/vernon-councillor-named-interim-conservative-leader/
http://www.1075kiss.com/2017/10/04/anderson-now-interim-leader-of-bc-conservatives/

New leader, but no new name for B.C. Conservative party

BC Conservative Party Launches Anti-Carbon Tax Petition

The British Columbia Conservative Party has launched a new website and petition dedicated to fighting the BC Liberal-imposed Carbon Tax. The new website is located at https://scrapthecarbontax-bcconservative.nationbuilder.com/petition

The BC Liberal Party first introduced the Carbon Tax in 2008, and planned to eventually raise it. Now the tax-hungry BC NDP, with the active encouragement of the BC Green party, has vowed to not only raise the tax, but go a step further and drop all pretense of revenue neutrality.

The BC Conservatives have steadfastly rejected the Carbon Tax as a punitive tax on the poor and middle class. Following a threat by the federal Liberal Party to impose a national carbon tax, other western conservative parties have followed suit in a strong rejection of the tax, including the Saskatchewan Party and the United Conservative Party of Alberta.

“Conservatives across the west are united in opposition to this regressive, punitive tax that will hurt the poor and middle class, and won’t achieve what it is supposed to achieve,” said Scott Anderson, Director of Communications for the BC Conservatives. “It will drive up the cost of everything from farming to transportation, and in the absence of any commercially viable alternative energy source, it can’t possibly achieve any significant reduction in GHG production. It’s nothing but a green-washed tax grab.”

The website and petition are the latest tools in the ongoing BC Conservative advance against the Carbon Tax. “We have no intention of giving up this fight,” said Anderson. “A BC Conservative government will stand shoulder to shoulder with other western governments in firm opposition to this disgraceful tax grab.”

Scott Anderson | Director of Communications
BC Conservative Party
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1/2 billion of GST on Carbon Tax from B.C. Shipped off to Ottawa

B.C. Conservatives gather for AGM Leadership race, possible party name change among agenda items

Fri Sep 29th, 2017 6:30am Morning Star:
A proposal to change the party name, plus a leadership race, highlight the B.C. Conservative party’s annual general meeting agenda. The gathering is set for 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Saturday in Langley. Following a public meeting that includes guest speakers Lori Ackerman (Fort St. John mayor), Kris Sims, B.C. director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, and former New Westminster-Burnaby candidate Chloé Ellis, delegates will then gather to elect a new board of directors. “Once the board is elected, party members will vote on constitutional and bylaw changes which includes a proposal to change the name of the party,” said party communications director, Vernon councillor Scott Anderson, who doesn’t expect the name change to carry much impact. “It’s in response to a grass roots request. It might go from the B.C. Conservative Party to the Conservative Party of B.C.” Anderson said the new board will organize the party’s leadership race and help to assemble a campaign to elect a conservative in the Kelowna West by-election.The party is currently without a leader, as is the provincial Liberal party.

BC Cons eye Clark's seat

 BY Darren Handschuh - DASTANET Sep 16, 2017 / 5:00 am |

BC Conservatives are eyeing Christy Clark's former riding to get a toehold in the legislature. The party will elect a new board of directors at its annual general meeting, Sept. 30 in Langley. Members will vote on constitutional and bylaw changes, including a proposed name change.Aside from organizing a leadership race, members will assemble a campaign to elect a BC Conservative in the Kelowna West byelection forced by the former premier's departure from politics. The AGM runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Murrayville Hall, 21667 48th Ave., Langley, and includes guest speakers Jack Froese, mayor of Langley, Lori Ackerman from Fort St. John, and former New Westminster-Burnaby candidate Chloe Ellis.The public is invited to attend.

Conservatives rebuild

Fri May 12th, 2017 8:00amNEWS Morning Star

The B.C. Conservative Party will hold meetings in May and June in the North Okanagan. The goal is to rebuild the party’s grassroots organization. “If the results of the recent election hold through recounts and absentee ballot counts, there will very probably be another election within the next two years,” said Scott Anderson, party official, of a likely minority government. “The B.C. Conservatives intend to be ready with a full slate of candidates when that happens.” The B.C. Conservatives ran 56 candidates in 2013, and 10 candidates in 2017.

Conservatives Name Candidate

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Pete McIntyre March 21, 2017 05:03 pm

The BC Conservative Party has chosen its BC election candidate in the Vernon-Monashee riding. Nels Harrington owns and operates Harrington’s Renovations, a construction company based in Coldstream. Harrington, 54, was born in B.C., lived on cattle farms in McBride and Alberta, and grew up in a conservative family in B.C.’s Interior where his father was an educator, author and public figure while his mother became head nurse of the extended-care wing of Polson Jubilee Hospital. He and his wife have four children and live in Vernon. “My many years of experience operating a small business have convinced me of the need for local people to step forward and bring good government back to B.C.,” says Harrington. “As a small business owner I have had first-hand experience with the myriad challenges facing small business operators,” he adds, citing imbalanced regulatory frameworks that favour large corporations, privatization of public assets that drive up costs and increasing pressures from automation and other shifts in the business climate that need to be addressed.He is the party’s fourth candidate in BC so far. Vernon city councillor Scott Anderson is Harrington’s campaign manager.

BC Cons turf leader

By The Canadian Press - CASTANET Oct 28, 2016 / 5:53 am
The British Columbia Conservative party is leaderless again. Dan Brooks says the party's board has stripped him of his leadership on a technicality. The 41-year-old businessman from Vanderhoof says the board has ruled the party meeting that approved his candidacy for the September leadership race lacked a quorum. Brooks first became leader of the BC Conservatives in 2014 but resigned earlier this year, citing family and business responsibilities, and concern about a lawsuit from a losing candidate. Over the summer, he announced all the issues had been resolved and he would again seek the leadership, which he won with a narrow, second ballot victory. He says the party's board could have named him interim leader while resolving the questions surrounding his candidacy for the second leadership bid, but he believes the board wanted him out. The BC Conservatives garnered 4.8 per cent of the popular vote during the 2013 provincial election and hasn't won a seat in the legislature since 1986, although former Liberal Abbotsford South MLA John van Dongen briefly crossed the floor to sit as a Conservative in 2012. Brooks is pessimistic about the future of the party.
"They don't have a leader, they don't have any money, they don't have any idea of who could be the leader. The only thing that is going to save (them) is a miraculous emergence of a very high profile individual politician who thinks they can somehow save the BC Conservatives," he says. "They're like praying mantises, they eat their leaders," Brooks says of his former party.

Brooks returns as leader

by David Wylie - CASTANET Sep 17, 2016 / 9:24 pm

It's not often someone who quits gets their job back again months later. That's what happened Saturday at the BC Conservative leadership convention. Dan Brooks – who quit in January over family and business responsibilities – got his job back, narrowly defeating Kelowna financial advisor Konrad Pimiskern. The vote was 52-48.

Brooks, 41, from Vanderhoof, will guide the party into the May 2017 election. "It's really humbling to be here a second time. You don't get second chances in politics very often," he told delegates. "And I certainly never imagined that I would get a second chance." "I come into this position with open eyes and a deep sense of sobriety. I'd better perform," he said. Brooks said the party has one priority: to nominate candidates to stand in the upcoming provincial election. He acknowledged Pimiskern's efforts, adding the election was a nail biter. The Kelowna resident has officially conceded. "This has been a wonderful experience for me and I want to thank you for all of your support and feedback," said Pimiskern in an email to his supporters. "I hope you will support the party under Dan's leadership."

Four Seek Party Leadership

Posted on 7/22/2016 10:33 AM by Ron Manz 107.5 KISSFM

A leadership convention has been scheduled for Prince George September 16-17 for BC's Conservative Party.Kelowna resident Konrad Pimiskern will be one of four people running to the position. The financial advisor will be up against Vancouver researcher Dr. Jay Cross, Vanderhoof business owner Dan Brooks, who is the former party leader, and New Westminster federal conservative MP candidate in 2015, Chloe Ellis.

CLICK HERE for more information on the candidates.

Leadership Contestants

Chloé Ellis

Dan Brooks

Jay Cross

Konrad Pimiskern

Ellis in B.C. Tory leader bid

By Kate Bouey - CASTANET Jul 18, 2016 / 7:21 pm

Hoping to make a mark in provincial politics after losing in the federal election, Chloe Ellis launched her 'Fresh Start to B.C.' campaign for the leadership of the B.C. Conservative Party on Monday. The former federal Tory candidate, who placed third in the New Westminster-Burnaby riding during last year's federal election, has set her sights on winning the Sept. 17th leadership convention in Prince George. Ellis works as a professional advisor in the financial services industry. During her campaign kick-off, Ellis took aim at the provincial Liberal government in Victoria, blasting the government’s poor record of ethics and accountability and criticizing the carbon tax as unfair and ineffective. “I believe most British Columbians support our ideals: a lean government, low taxes personal responsibility and hard work”, Ellis said in her address. “British Columbians believe in these ideals, yet far too many have been convinced they need to settle for the present failed government because not being NDP is good enough. It’s not good enough." Ellis urged Conservative party members to support her leadership bid. Recently, former party leader Dan Brooks said he would again seek the party leadership at the September convention. Brooks resigned from that post in January.

Former Leader Runs For Post Again

Posted on 7/8/2016 1:55 PM by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM

Brooks first became party leader in 2014, but announced in January 2016 that he would resign from the post after one of the losing candidates launched legal action against Brooks and other party members. “Within a few months of winning the BC Conservative Party leadership, I – along with several other party members – faced legal action by the losing candidate,” says Brooks. “That litigation, based on unfounded speculation and a misrepresentation of the facts, now has entered its third year and has been exceptionally costly for all of the individuals involved. “Fortunately, it has become manifestly evident to all parties over the course of this ordeal that the legal complaint is without merit and has gone – and is going – nowhere. I now am satisfied that the matter no longer will be a burden, financial or otherwise, to me and my family. “With that issue behind me, I therefore am very pleased to announce today that I intend to win election in September as Leader of the BC Conservatives.” The party will choose its new leader at a convention in Prince George on September 17th. Brooks, a 41 year old guide-outfitter who owns Crystal Lake Lodge near Vanderhoof, B.C., was a BC Conservative Party candidate in the 2013 general election.

NEWS RELEASE - SCOTT ANDERSON APPOINTED CHAIR OF BC CONSERVATIVE

NEWS RELEASE April 17, 2014

SCOTT ANDERSON APPOINTED CHAIR OF BC CONSERVATIVE
POLICY AND PLATFORM COMMITTEE

VERNON—Scott Anderson has been appointed Chair of the Policy and Platform Committee of the British Columbia Conservative Party. The Policy and Platform Committee will be responsible for developing a platform in anticipation of the 2017 provincial election.

"I am extremely pleased Scott has accepted the role of Chair of the Policy and Platform Committee," said Dan Brooks, newly elected leader of the BC Conservative Party. "He has a sharp mind and his ideas show a depth of understanding of what British Columbians want to make this province great again."

Brooks made clear throughout his leadership campaign that, if elected, he would ensure that the party became organized, united and ready for the future. Part of that organization is to ensure that the party enters the next election with a fully developed platform consisting of common sense economic policies with grass roots input from across the province.

"My role is helping to develop a common sense economic platform and translate grass roots ideas into party policy," said Anderson. "In my opinion Dan is doing things the way they should be done...starting early so that by 2017 we are strong, united, and ready to form government in BC."

Anderson is currently a director on the management committee of the provincial board of the BC Conservative Party, and previously held the role of Director of Communications for the party. As a candidate in the 2013 provincial election, he held the position of Chair of the Finance Committee.

BC Conservatives Choose New Leader

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Saturday, 12 April 2014 16:25
The BC Conservatives have chosen a new leader. Dan Brooks of Kamloops beat out Rick Peterson of Vancouver for the position formerly held by John Cummins. Brooks told CKNW, the party has to work on its credibility. "We have to prove to the people of British Columbia that we are prepared. So we have a lot more to do than our opponents do, in order to have that credibility. So yes, I'm prepared to do that. That's what I've been campaigning on for the last 7-8 months." Brooks is a small business owner in the tourism sector who received 62 percent of the vote.
The party finished fourth in the 2013 BC election, getting 4.7% of the votes.

Tory Backs Brooks As Leader

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 19 November 2013 15:25
The BC Conservatives Vernon-Monashee candidate in May's provincial election is endorsing Dan Brooks to become the party's new leader. Scott Anderson, who is a director with the party, says he's backing Brooks because he brings a different approach to BC politics. "Dan has the usual attributes of first class leadership - intelligence, charisma, youth and drive - but he brings something new and fresh to politics: an honesty and integrity that we haven't seen in BC for decades. When he tells me something, I believe him." Brooks says he's humbled by the endorsement. "Scott is incredibly well-respected in our party, both for the great campaign he ran in May and for his contribution to our election platform by serving as Chair of the Public Finance committee," says Brooks, who was the party's candidate in Nechako Lakes in May's election. Brooks will meet with the public at 10 am Monday, November 25 at Bean to Cup at 3903 27 St, Vernon. Brooks and Rick Peterson are vying for the Tory leadership which will be decided in a vote next April. Peterson has said he will name Janet Green of Lumby the party's deputy leader if he wins the leadership.

North Okanagan-Shuswap residents take the reins of B.C. Conservatives

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Updated: October 19, 2013 5:54 PM
There is a strong local presence within the B.C. Conservative Party. During the party's annual general meeting in Vernon Saturday, delegates elected Salmon Arm's Tom Birch as president. He represented the party as the Shuswap candidate in the May provincial election. Elected as directors at large were Vernon's Scott Anderson and Lumby's Janet Green.Vice-president is Paul Redekopp of Abbotsford, while Party members will elect a new leader in April.

B.C. Conservative Leader John Cummins resigns

 MARSHA LEDERMAN  VANCOUVER — The Globe and Mail updatedThursday, Jul. 18 2013, 10:51 PM EDT
 John Cummins has stepped down as leader of the B.C. Conservative Party. Mr. Cummins tendered his resignation to the party’s board of directors Thursday evening. The Conservatives, considered a serious threat to the B.C. Liberals during two by-elections last year, imploded before the provincial vote amid infighting and demands for Mr. Cummins’s resignation, which Mr. Cummins successfully deflected by winning a confidence vote. (more)

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  B.C. Conservative leader John Cummins to quit
July 18, 2013 - 2:51 PMInfo-Tel Multimedia  

 A member of the B.C. Conservative Party's executive says leader John Cummins will quit this evening after a conference call with the party's board of directors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER - B.C. Conservative Leader John Cummins is expected to quit this evening after a meeting with the party's board of directors. Dan Brooks, who sits as a party director at large, confirms the party's leadership has a conference call tonight to hammer out a few details, but that Cummins has already indicated the meeting will be his last. Cummins could not be reached for comment. But Brooks says Cummins told the party after the Conservatives' disastrous showing in May that he would step down when the party had some time to work out how a replacement would be chosen, though Brooks wouldn't divulge those details. The Conservatives, considered a serious threat to the B.C. Liberals during three byelections last year, imploded before May's election amid infighting and demands for Cummins' resignation, which Cummins successfully deflected in a confidence vote. Cummins came a distant third in his own riding and the party managed to garner only 4.8 per cent of the popular vote.