9.84°C Vancouver

Jun 3, 2024 5:22 PM - The Canadian Press

Elenore Sturko leaves BC United party for Conservatives to 'defeat the NDP'

Share On
elenore-sturko-leaves-bc-united-party-for-conservatives-to-defeat-the-ndp
Her move comes after Lorne Doerkson, the former BC United caucus chair, defected from the official Opposition on Friday, bringing the number of Conservative members in the legislature to four.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Another BC United member has left the party to join the Conservative Party of BC just months before the provincial election.

Surrey South MLA Elenore Sturko says in a statement that she's joining the provincial Conservatives to "rebuild the coalition that's needed to defeat the NDP."

Her move comes after Lorne Doerkson, the former BC United caucus chair, defected from the official Opposition on Friday, bringing the number of Conservative members in the legislature to four.

The Conservatives rejected a proposal last month from BC United to create a "non-competition" agreement, with Conservative Leader John Rustad and BC United Leader Kevin Falcon blaming each other for the talks' collapse.

Sturko says in her statement that it's easy to ignore the polls, but it is impossible to dismiss what she's hearing when she's talking to voters.

She says she doesn't believe the New Democrat government deserves to win the next election, but when the vote is split between the BC United and Conservative parties, they are handing the NDP victory.

Latest news

alberta-introduces-bill-26-to-tighten-oversight-of-foreign-worker-recruitment
AlbertaApr 02, 2026

Alberta introduces Bill 26 to tighten oversight of foreign worker recruitment

The Alberta government has introduced Bill 26, the Immigration Oversight Act, aimed at increasing transparency in the recruitment of foreign workers across the province. According to a provincial government announcement, the proposed legislation would require all businesses to register with the province before hiring employees through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The measure is intended to strengthen oversight and ensure employers follow provincial rules when bringing in workers from abroad. The bill also proposes a new licensing system for immigration consultants and recruitment agen
AlbertaApr 02, 2026

RCMP say highway shooting that killed international student not racially motivated, second suspect charged

Alberta RCMP say the fatal highway shooting of a 22-year-old international student from India was not motivated by race, as investigators confirm a second person has been charged in the case. Sgt. John Brown told a news conference Wednesday that the March 14 shooting near Leduc, south of Edmonton, does not appear to be linked to hate, road rage or a gang initiation. Birinder Singh was travelling with two friends toward the Rocky Mountains when a pickup truck driving alongside them made a hand gesture before shots were fired, according to RCMP. Police say a bullet struck Singh in the neck. One
AlbertaApr 02, 2026

Calgary signals end to water restrictions as feeder main repairs completed

Officials in Calgary say the city is on track to lift temporary water restrictions Thursday following the completion of repairs to the Bearspaw South Feeder Main, which ruptured in December. According to a City of Calgary update, pumps connected to the feeder main have been turned on and the system is now operational. Restrictions remain in place for now while crews monitor the pipe and overall water system to confirm stability. The city said if monitoring proceeds as expected, residents will no longer be asked to limit household water use, including shortening showers and reducing laundry, di
poilievre-proposes-temporary-federal-gas-tax-holiday-cites-cost-relief-for-drivers
CanadaApr 02, 2026

Poilievre proposes temporary federal gas tax holiday, cites cost relief for drivers

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on the federal government to suspend gas taxes for the remainder of the year, saying the measure would provide immediate cost relief as fuel prices rise. In a press release issued Thursday, Poilievre said eliminating federal fuel taxes could save a family of four about $1,200 over the rest of 2026. He argued the policy would ease financial pressure on households facing higher transportation and food costs. “Canadians deserve affordable fuel and food,” Poilievre said in the release, adding that the proposal would allow seniors, families and wo
global-attention-turns-to-artemis-ii-launch-canadian-astronaut-among-crew
CanadaApr 01, 2026

Global attention turns to Artemis II launch, Canadian astronaut among crew

People in Canada and around the world are preparing to watch the launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission, which is set to send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, according to NASA mission briefings. The crew includes Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, 50, of London, Ont., who will serve as mission specialist. The Canadian Space Agency says Hansen is expected to become the first non-American astronaut to travel beyond low Earth orbit. Hansen will fly alongside NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch. The mission is part of NASA’s Artemis p

Related News