3.68°C Vancouver

Sep 17, 2024 6:58 PM - The Canadian Press

Former cabinet minister appeals to Elections B.C. to register New Liberal Party of BC

Share On
former-cabinet-minister-appeals-to-elections-b-c-to-register-new-liberal-party-of-bc
Dhaliwal says he wants "moderate, centrist" voters to get behind the New Liberal Party of BC in time for the election on October 19.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Former federal cabinet minister Herb Dhaliwal says he wants to revive a liberal party for those left politically homeless in British Columbia after the BC United Party suspended its campaign in the upcoming provincial election.

Dhaliwal says he wants "moderate, centrist" voters to get behind the New Liberal Party of BC in time for the election on October 19.

Dhaliwal says in a statement that the former BC Liberal Party that rebranded as BC United was doomed by a "backroom deal" with the BC Conservative Party that left moderate voters without a "preferred political choice on the ballot."

The former federal cabinet minister who left his Vancouver-area riding in 2004 says Leader Kevin Falcon's suspension of the BC United campaign "betrayed" supporters, and the province risks returning to a "dysfunctional" state of "polarizing right versus left combat."

Dhaliwal says an attempt to register the party under the name "New Liberal Party of BC" was rejected by Elections BC on technical grounds and he's now hired a lawyer to contest the rejection.

A letter from lawyer Joven Narwal to Elections BC says the agency declined to register the name due to potential voter confusion, but adding "not associated with BC United" or a similar phrase to the ballot could avoid "any conceivable confusion in the minds of voters."

Latest news

vancouver-police-seek-witnesses-after-suspicious-death-in-downtown-eastside
BCMar 25, 2026

Vancouver police seek witnesses after suspicious death in Downtown Eastside

The Vancouver Police Department says its homicide unit is investigating a suspicious death in the city’s Downtown Eastside and is asking witnesses to come forward. According to a Vancouver Police Department news release, paramedics with BC Emergency Health Services responded to a call at about 7:40 a.m. on March 20 in the south lane of the 100-block of East Hastings Street for a man in medical distress. Despite life-saving efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said paramedics notified officers after observing injuries considered suspicious. The case has since been taken o
b-c-police-watchdog-launches-systemic-probe-into-handling-of-sexual-misconduct-cases
BCMar 25, 2026

B.C. police watchdog launches systemic probe into handling of sexual misconduct cases

British Columbia’s police watchdog has launched a provincewide review into how municipal departments handle sexual misconduct allegations involving officers, citing concerns about recurring patterns and oversight. Prabhu Rajan, head of the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, said the investigation will examine internal processes used when departments investigate their own members. He said sexual misconduct in policing workplaces can undermine operational effectiveness and public trust. According to a statement from the commissioner’s office, the probe is the first “systemic inve
taxpayers-group-urges-b-c-to-suspend-fuel-tax-amid-high-gas-prices
BCMar 25, 2026

Taxpayers group urges B.C. to suspend fuel tax amid high gas prices

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the Government of British Columbia to suspend its provincial motor fuels tax, arguing the move would reduce costs for drivers as gasoline prices remain elevated. In a statement, the group said drivers in regions including Metro Vancouver and the Capital Regional District are paying more than $2 per litre for fuel, while prices in other parts of the province are մոտ $1.80 per litre. “B.C. drivers pay the highest gas prices in the country because of the highest gas taxes from the province and regional districts,” said Carson Binda. He added
WorldMar 25, 2026

South Africa arrests 12 senior police officers in corruption probe tied to service contract

South African anti-corruption investigators have arrested 12 senior police officers on allegations of corruption and fraud, according to a statement released Wednesday by the National Prosecuting Authority’s investigative directorate. The officers appeared in court in Pretoria following their arrests. Authorities allege the case is linked to a contract involving the provision of health and wellbeing services to police personnel. A 13th individual, identified as a company director connected to the contract, was also taken into custody, the agency said. According to the prosecuting authority,
three-arrested-in-abbotsford-drug-trafficking-investigation-police-seize-cocaine-and-cash
BCMar 25, 2026

Three arrested in Abbotsford drug trafficking investigation; police seize cocaine and cash

Three people in their twenties were arrested Monday night in Abbotsford in connection with a suspected drug trafficking investigation, according to a police release. The Abbotsford Police Department said patrol officers responded shortly after 9 p.m. and located two men and one woman near the area of Gillis Avenue and McCallum Road. Police allege the individuals, who do not reside in Abbotsford, had come into the community to sell drugs. Officers seized approximately 73 grams of suspected cocaine and more than $4,500 in cash during the arrest. A 2014 Honda Civic was also seized as offence-rela

Related News