Former MLA Karin Kirkpatrick officially launches CentreBC
For Immediate Release
April 10, 2025
VICTORIA – British Columbia’s newest political party, CentreBC, officially launched outside the B.C. Legislature today. Led by former West Vancouver-Capilano MLA Karin Kirkpatrick, the party aims to push back on the current polarization of B.C. politics.
“Our team has heard from countless British Columbians, during the 2024 provincial election and ever since, about the lack of a pragmatic, centrist choice for voters in this province,” said Kirkpatrick “There is clear demand for a party focused on evidence-based policy, fiscal responsibility, and a balanced approach to governing.”
Flanked by supporters, Kirkpatrick criticized the lack of options in the 2024 elections and laid out her vision of what voters can expect to see from BC’s newest party.
“Last election, voters were stuck between an ineffective, out-of-touch NDP government and the BC Conservatives, who are obsessed with importing Republican-style culture war issues and conspiracy theories,” continued Kirkpatrick. “The vast majority of voters just want a competent government focused on addressing issues of the day like housing, healthcare, and cost-of-living — we will run on a platform that aims to deliver a strong private sector economy, well-funded public services, and a long-term approach to investing in infrastructure.”
Following the collapse of the BC Liberal Party and fragmentation of the BC Conservatives, British Columbia’s political landscape continues to shift, with the possibility of five parties contesting the 2028 provincial election. Kirkpatrick pointed to significant outreach from across the province as evidence of demand for a new centrist option in B.C.
“We’ve already received significant interest from across the political spectrum. Over two dozen current and former elected officials from both the municipal and provincial levels have reached out to ask about membership and potentially running in the next provincial election,” concluded Kirkpatrick. “If you’re tired of endless polarization and petty politics getting in the way of getting things done, then I encourage you to join us and get involved with CentreBC.”
CentreBC received formal approval from Elections BC in early April. The party intends to field candidates in all 93 ridings.
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Media Contact:
Taylor Verrall
media@centrebc.ca
About Karin Kirkpatrick:
Karin Kirkpatrick is the leader of CentreBC. She served as MLA for West Vancouver-Capilano from 2020 to 2024
First elected as a BC Liberal, Kirkpatrick contested the 2024 election as an independent following the party’s collapse, winning one of the strongest results for any non-party affiliated candidate in the province’s history.
During her time in office, Kirkpatrick served as the Shadow Minister for various portfolios, including Housing, Childcare, Gender Equity & Inclusion, and the Ministry of Children and Families.
Outside of politics, Kirkpatrick is widely recognized as one of British Columbia's most accomplished non-profit leaders, having worked as Assistant Dean at UBC’s Sauder School of Business, CEO of the Real Estate Foundation of BC, and CEO of Family Services of Greater Vancouver. She has served as a Board member of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, the Vancity Community Foundation, and the Judicial Council of British Columbia.
Kirkpatrick is a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants (FCPA) and holds both a Master of Laws degree and a Master of Business Administration. She is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.