Bolin announces move to interim leader of BC Conservatives

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Trevor Bolin will be stepping down as leader of the BC Conservative party to focus on his family and local community.

In a statement on March 3rd, Bolin said he asked the party executives to appoint him as interim leader to open up the path for a leadership race and election within the party. 

In an interview with Energeticcity.ca, the Fort St. John city councillor said the recent passing of his parents is one of the reasons for his decision.

“My boys, my wife, my sister, my niece, and my community, that needs to be my focus right now,” Bolin said. 

“There’s lots of stuff happening locally in Fort St. John that are going to require my attention on the council side. So I think that’s where we need to focus right now.”

Bolin was elected as the leader of the BC Conservatives in April 2019 and said it’s been a busy three years and ten months. 

“For those of us that are in the game of politics, it’s general elections, and by-elections, and membership drives, and funding. It’s all of these things that make you go; where did that three years even go?” 

Bolin’s announcement follows former Liberal MLA John Rustad joining the Conservative party last month. Currently, Rustad is the only sitting Conservative member of the BC Legislature. 

Bolin said the Conservative party had a lot of eyes on it right now.

“We’ve got a massive membership, and it’s literally growing exponentially daily. We’re now in the legislature,” Bolin said. 

“Honestly, I think we’re gonna see some pretty exciting things happen in this leadership election.”

Bolin confirmed he would continue to be a “card-carrying Conservative” and would remain the BC Conservative candidate for the riding. He also thanked his party for their support over his term as leader. 

“I think that for our area, North Peace, southeast, the Peace River riding,  I think it’s just the start of some really great things that are gonna happen for us.” 

The BC Conservative Party executive named Vancouver-based lawyer Aisha Estey as Chair of the Leadership Elections Organizing Committee to oversee the leadership race process. The rules and procedures for the leadership race will be announced in the coming weeks.