B.C. United Faces Financial Crisis, Seeks Donations to Avoid Bankruptcy

B.C. United, once a dominant political force in British Columbia, is on the brink of financial collapse after its withdrawal from the 2024 election campaign. Leader Kevin Falcon is now urgently appealing to supporters for donations to prevent the party from declaring bankruptcy and being deregistered by Elections B.C., which would effectively mark its end.

The party owes $930,000 to various vendors and former candidates who personally financed campaign costs, according to leaked internal notes from a Dec. 7 provincial council meeting. During the meeting, Falcon and party executives acknowledged their dire financial position, compounded by dwindling donations following the party's rebranding from the B.C. Liberals and the inability to secure a $3 million bank loan for the election.

In a fundraising email sent last week, the party stated, “The need is substantial — we must raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in the coming weeks to fulfill our obligations and ensure the party remains registered.” Without this, B.C. United risks deregistration, which would make it illegal to collect further donations, eliminating any chance of a political comeback.

Fallout from Election Suspension

Falcon’s decision to suspend B.C. United’s election campaign earlier this year in favor of endorsing John Rustad’s B.C. Conservatives has sparked outrage among party loyalists. Former MLA Karin Kirkpatrick criticized the move as undemocratic, saying, “The rug was pulled out from candidates at the worst possible time.”

Mike Bernier, a former Peace River South MLA, expressed frustration over the fundraising plea. “To go and ask for money right now at Christmastime, after an election where there was so much hurt, feels tone-deaf. A lot of people are really sore over what Kevin Falcon did.”

The fallout has also severely impacted party operations. B.C. United’s staff has dwindled from 27 to just five employees, and the party is now looking to sublet its Vancouver office to alleviate its $19,000 monthly rent burden.

Calls for Leadership Change

Some party members are calling for Falcon to step aside to allow for rebuilding. Ernie Klassen, a former Surrey South candidate, believes new leadership is essential. “He needs to step aside and let the party rebuild itself,” Klassen said. Like many others, Klassen remains out of pocket for personal campaign expenditures and has little hope of reimbursement.

Kirkpatrick has proposed resurrecting the party under its former B.C. Liberal banner, arguing the province needs a viable centrist option. “I’ve talked a lot about the need for a centre party in British Columbia, and that was taken away from us in the last election,” she said.

Political Void and Uncertain Future

B.C. United insiders, including former spokesperson Andrew Reeve, hope the party can recover. Reeve emphasized the growing sense of political homelessness among voters. “Centre-right folks who don’t align with the B.C. Conservatives and centre-left folks disillusioned with the NDP are looking for a home. The question is whether that home can be rebuilt under the B.C. Liberal banner.”

Despite efforts to salvage the party, Falcon has yet to comment publicly on its future or address calls for his resignation. For now, B.C. United’s survival hinges on whether it can rally financial support before its January deadline — a test of both Falcon’s leadership and the loyalty of the party’s remaining supporters.