Vancouver-based businessman Yuri Fulmer said he’s running for the leadership of the B.C. Conservatives.
The investment firm owner also serves as chancellor of Capilano University and as chair of United Way Worldwide.
Fulmer teased a leadership bid in a video posted to social media on Jan. 1, and his campaign launched a website earlier this week. He released an official announcement Wednesday.
“I’m running to be the next premier of British Columbia because our province deserves real leadership and a chance to be the envy of Canada once again,” Fulmer said in a statement.
Fulmer was a B.C. Conservative candidate in West Vancouver–Sea to Sky in the 2024 provincial election, losing to Jeremy Valeriote of the B.C. Greens.
He built his career as the owner of several A&W restaurants and other franchises.
“I worked my way up from clearing tables and running the drive-thru at A&W to owning dozens of restaurants across Western Canada. Sadly, that success story is no longer possible in a B.C. where half the population is only $200 away from financial crisis each month,” Fulmer said.
In a new video posted to social media, Fulmer slams the NDP government for what he calls “radical, out-of-touch policies.” He cites the province’s drug decriminalization pilot, a growing deficit and the provincial response to the Cowichan Tribe’s land title case in Richmond.
But he also said the B.C. Conservatives “have not been a credible alternative.”
Trevor Halford has served as interim leader of the party since John Rustad stepped down in early December. That followed months of mounting internal tensions and controversies for the Conservatives, culminating in the party announcing that a majority of caucus members had voted to remove Rustad as leader.
The B.C. Conservatives have not yet confirmed any leadership candidates. The party said last week it had formed a committee to set the rules for the leadership contest and would announce an election as soon as possible.
Rossland contractor Warren Hamm also said in December that he plans to run for the leadership.
Others who have said they are considering a leadership bid include Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar, Langley–Abbotsford MLA Harman Bhangu, and former grocery executive Darrell Jones.
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