MLA’S Peter Milobar and Ian Paton on Friday welcomed MLAs Rosalyn Bird, Bruce Banman and Áʼa꞉líya Warbus into a new provincial party, bringing its standing in the Legislature to five seats and giving British Columbians a stable, serious alternative to the NDP heading into the next election.
“We’re building on the momentum Peter and Ian have created over the last week and a half toward giving voters a stable, thoughtful alternative to the NDP,” said Bird. “This party will be focused on the issues the NDP has neglected for far too long: the economy, healthcare, affordability, taxation and land rights. These are issues that shape the everyday lives of British Columbians.”
“I’m proud to join a team with a long-term vision for this province and a real commitment to the issues that matter,” said Warbus. “We have, at most, two years to be election-ready to defeat the NDP, and joining Peter and Ian is a commitment to making sure voters have a strong alternative when that election comes. There’s no time to waste — Peter and Ian have been moving forward at full-steam ahead and I’m ready to get to work alongside them.”
“British Columbians deserve a government that respects a dollar earned and doesn’t punish people for working hard,” said Banman. “I’ve spent my time in the Legislature fighting for common-sense policy and for the people who feel like Victoria stopped listening to them a long time ago. Joining Peter, Ian, Rosalyn and Áʼa꞉líya means we can do that work together as a team. British Columbians want options, and we intend to give them a strong one.”
The new party will hold an internal leadership vote before the Legislature returns on October 5.Milobar will serve as interim leader until caucus elects a permanent leader.
“We’re working hard, every day, to build the party British Columbia needs right now,” said Milobar. “The support we’ve seen from across the province has been overwhelming, and people are stepping up to help us bring this party to life in a very short time. The appetite for it is undeniable. This will be a party for hard-working British Columbians: one that restores fiscal sanity to this province and positions British Columbia as a national leader in resource development and job creation.
The BC Legislature returns on October 5, and the new party intends to sit with official third-party status when it does.
