Dew won’t seek B.C. Conservative leadership, says party can’t chase ‘squirrels’

VICTORIA — Kelowna, B.C., MLA Gavin Dew says he doesn’t want to lead the B.C. Conservatives, citing family reasons.

But he says whoever wins the contest should be the “unifier” of a party that isn’t focused on culture wars and “chasing after squirrels”

Dew says he hopes the upcoming race to lead British Columbia’s Opposition doesn’t become a factional battle, and the party can’t get the choice wrong if it wants to be taken seriously.

Former grocery boss Darrell Jones and federal Conservative MP Aaron Gunn have both said they are “seriously considering” seeking the leadership vacated by John Rustad this month.

Other potential candidates include MLAs Peter Milobar and Harman Bhangu, former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay and other figures from the business, political and academic arenas.

Dew says in an interview that it’s “great to see a wide range of impressive candidates” in the mix and that it gives him comfort that he’s made the right decision for his young family.

He said in an earlier written statement that his previous run for the leadership of the former B.C. Liberals had shown him the “commitment” required and the “toll” such a race could take, and his two children aged five and seven “need their dad to be present.”

He said that spending more time with his children after the end of the legislative session made the decision easier.

Dew said that Conservative party members will have lots of choices who “reflect the breadth of our party” and the contest should not be a “tug of war” but instead a “unifying process.”

“Every leadership race is somewhere between a talent show and a civil war,” Dew said.

“My hope is that this is closer to a talent show than a civil war, because there are so many people that are willing and able to serve, and we need all hands on deck to defeat (Premier) David Eby and form a new government.”

He said being preoccupied with culture-war grievances is not the path to government.

“We have to show people, and the next leader has to show people, that we are deadly serious about the issues that are affecting them every day … and that we’re not tilting at windmills and chasing after squirrels.”

Dew said the next leader “must be a premier in waiting,” who also understands the economy, and can hold the NDP “accountable” while growing the Conservatives’ coalition.

“At the end of the day, we will win the next election in B.C., if we have a unified party that is offering a serious government,” he said.

Some of Dew’s comments echo Rustad, who said he was quitting because he wanted to avert a “civil war” within the party.

But Rustad also said that the battle over the “soul of the party” would continue and he encouraged members to get involved in the party.

Asked where that soul is right now, Dew said the answer would “play out” in the leadership race.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 17, 2025.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press