BC Conservatives fundraising below expectations, disclosures show
(Image courtesy of CBC)
While the next BC election is likely years away, that does not mean political parties cannot fundraise, and the BC Conservatives have fallen behind their rivals by a large margin.
According to BC elections data, the BC Conservative party raised a little over $350,000, a small amount compared to the BC NDP’s $700,589. This is the BC Conservatives' worst fundraising quarter since the beginning of last year, even during the party’s drama with the BC United political party.
Fundraising numbers per quarter between BC Conservatives and BC NDP. Figures are expressed in dollars ($).
Compared to other dominant right-wing parties in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Nova Scotia, the BC Conservatives are far behind. These neighbouring parties are way ahead of their left-wing competitors, according to financial data released in 2024 and 2025. It should be noted, however, as such with the BC NDP, that these are incumbent governments, and more money usually flows in from wealthy sources to ensure access. Having big wallets can mean more opportunities for candidates to engage in the community, boost voter outreach, and fund other political actions to attain or preserve political power.
Provincial Right Wing Parties vs. Main Opposition Fundraising
All of this comes while John Rustad, BC Conservative leader, is facing calls for a leadership review following his performance in the 2024 BC election. While some party members are grateful to Rustad for nearly pulling off a victory against the BC NDP, others say Rustad has abandoned the grassroots of the party, opting to be more moderate. This notion led former Conservative MLAs Dallas Brodie and Tara Armstrong to leave caucus and launch OneBC, a party they claim is further right than the Conservatives, while MLA Jordan Kealy, who left the Conservative caucus earlier this year, has remained an independent.
While money is important, it is not the end-all, be-all in Canadian politics. Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives famously outraised the Liberal Party during the Canadian federal election, but shifting political tides turned what could’ve been the biggest Conservative win since 1984 into a surprise Carney victory. While Rustad performed very well in the 2024 election, BC Conservative members may see that Rustad’s leadership is not enough to earn them a governing majority.
