UPDATE: Kamloops MLA enters BC Conservative leadership race

A Kamloops MLA wants to lead the province’s right-of-centre party.

Peter Milobar announced he’ll enter the BC Conservative leadership race this morning, Jan. 16, advertising the event with the slogan, “ready to lead BC.” The longtime politician and former Kamloops mayor has been an MLA since 2017.

Speaking to reporters at the BC legislature building, he described the BC Conservative Party as a “government in waiting.” He dismissed critics suggesting the party is “fractured” and “divisive,” instead describing it has a hard-working, talented caucus.

He went on to criticize the NDP of overseeing the “complete erosion” of public sector responsibilities in BC, including health care, public safety and, more recently since the Cowichan decision, land rights and reconciliation.

“Under my leadership, BC can expect full accountability,” Milobar told reporters at a news conference in Victoria.

“We will have cabinet ministers that actually have to deliver and report out regularly… Across the board, we have to see accountability in government that has been sorely lacking under David Eby’s leadership of the NDP.”

More than a month ago, 20 BC Conservative Party MLAs signed a letter in which they said they lost confidence in leader John Rustad.

The province’s official opposition party is now facing an upcoming leadership race, while led in the interim by MLA Trevor Halford. Milobar is among several to announce their intentions to take on the leadership role.

— This story was updated with comments from Peter Milobar at 11:03 a.m., Jan. 16, 2026.