Kelowna MLA Gavin Dew won’t run for B.C. Conservative leadership, citing family

VICTORIA — Kelowna MLA Gavin Dew says he won’t run for the leadership of the Conservative Party of B.C. because of his family, saying the party needs to “finish the task of building a serious new government in waiting.”

Dew says in a statement that his previous run for the leadership of the former B.C. Liberals has shown him the “commitment” required and the “toll” such a race can take, and he says his children “need their dad to be present.”

Dew’s announcement comes two days after former grocery executive Darrell Jones said he was “seriously considering” a run for the party’s leadership, after the resignation of John Rustad on Dec. 4.

Vancouver Island MP Aaron Gunn also says he’s “seriously considering” running, while other potential candidates include Dew’s fellow MLAs Peter Milobar and Harman Bhangu, as well former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay among others.

Dew says it is “great to see a wide range of impressive candidates” in the mix, but also says that the party can’t afford to be divided, because the party “needs all hands on deck” to defeat the government of Premier David Eby.

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

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

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press