Former BC United MLA Karin Kirkpatrick has officially launched a new political party, CentreBC.
She touted it as a "compassionate and fiscally responsible" alternative to the current options.
"Our team has heard from countless British Columbians, during the 2024 provincial election and ever since, about the lack of a pragmatic, centrist choice for voters in this province," Kirkpatrick said in a press release. "There is clear demand for a party focused on evidence-based policy, fiscal responsibility, and a balanced approach to governing."
She argued that when voters went to the ballot box in October, they had been "stuck between an ineffective, out-of-touch NDP government and the BC Conservatives, who are obsessed with importing Republican-style culture war issues and conspiracy theories."
"The vast majority of voters just want a competent government focused on addressing issues of the day like housing, healthcare, and cost-of-living," Kirkpatrick continued. "We will run on a platform that aims to deliver a strong private sector economy, well-funded public services, and a long-term approach to investing in infrastructure."
During a press conference in front of the Legislature on Thursday, she said that Kevin Falcon's decision to fold BC United to join forces with John Rustad and the BC Conservatives "left countless British Columbians without a political home," adding that voters "deserve something better."
Kirkpatrick took aim at the current levels of polarization, making it clear that, "there's gonna be times where we agree with government, and there's gonna be times where we agree with the opposition, but good ideas cannot be discarded and criticized for the sake of scoring partisan points."
She claimed that CentreBC had "already received significant interest from across the political spectrum," including "over two dozen current and former elected officials from both the municipal and provincial levels" who want to become members or potentially run in the next election, scheduled for 2028.
"If you're tired of endless polarization and petty politics getting in the way of getting things done, then I encourage you to join us and get involved with CentreBC," Kirkpatrick concluded, vowing to run a full slate of candidates by the time Premier David Eby's mandate is up.