Elenore Sturko has accepted the leadership of CentreBC and now stands as the party’s sole incumbent legislator after a rapid series of defections left the fledgling party reduced to one sitting MLA.
From eight MLAs to one: rapid reversal
CentreBC, formed in March 2025 by former BC United MLA Karin Kirkpatrick, surged briefly into prominence when it became the home for a group of breakaway legislators. Within weeks the party’s parliamentary presence ballooned to as many as eight MLAs, only to shrink again when most members returned to other benches or left provincial caucuses.
Sturko — who has twice experienced abrupt political isolation after earlier moves between parties — described recent days as an "emotional roller-coaster." She said she felt a connection with a group of like-minded legislators who joined CentreBC, but that the alliance dissolved within days. When asked to become leader, Sturko said she would "step up," acknowledging she had not originally planned to do so but that she was "proud to accept the opportunity."
High-profile recruit and campaign timing
The party announced a notable recruit the same week: former BC Green leader Andrew Weaver will run in Oak Bay–Gordon Head, a riding he represented for more than seven years until 2020. Weaver framed his candidacy as a response to the provincial campaign being called early, saying he was prompted to run "for the sake of democracy."
"So I thought, you know what, I’ll get behind you. I can work with you," Weaver said, expressing support for Sturko and noting he has "enormous respect" for her.
Weaver has been openly critical of his former Green colleagues and has spoken positively about the B.C. Conservatives under John Rustad, but he said the Conservatives were not an option for him because the party had spent the past two years "throwing grenades" at each other.
What CentreBC seeks to be
Party officials say CentreBC aspires to attract voters from both left and right who feel politically homeless. On Friday, one returning Conservative, referred to in reports as Milobar, described CentreBC as a "viable, serious, legitimate voting option," suggesting the new party could focus campaign messaging on core voter concerns: economic issues, health care and public safety.
- CentreBC founded: March 2025 by Karin Kirkpatrick
- Peak legislative caucus: about eight MLAs
- Current sitting MLAs: one (Elenore Sturko)
- High-profile candidate: Andrew Weaver in Oak Bay–Gordon Head
Sturko’s personal trajectory has been marked by party-hopping and internal disputes. She was a star recruit for John Rustad’s Conservatives after leaving BC United in June 2024, and was later ejected from the Conservative caucus amid accusations from Rustad that she had plotted against his leadership.
Implications for the campaign and provincial politics
CentreBC’s fluctuation in parliamentary strength underscores the volatility within B.C. politics as the province heads into an unexpectedly early election. The party’s ability to sustain momentum will hinge on whether it can convert high-profile names into local support and present a coherent platform that draws voters disaffected with established parties.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founder | Karin Kirkpatrick (March 2025) |
| Current leader | Elenore Sturko |
| Notable recruit | Andrew Weaver (Oak Bay–Gordon Head) |
| Recent caucus size | Peaked at ~8; now 1 |
For voters, the development raises practical questions: will CentreBC be seen as a lasting third option that can influence policy debate, or will it be another transient grouping whose fortunes depend on personalities and short-term strategic moves? The departure and return of MLAs to other parties, and public endorsements that quickly shift, make it difficult to forecast stability.
Elenore Sturko’s decision to accept leadership keeps her at the centre of whatever comes next for CentreBC. With Andrew Weaver’s entry and the party’s stated intention to appeal across the political spectrum, the coming campaign will be a first test of whether CentreBC can translate a chaotic birth into sustained political relevance.
