BC Liberals’ first leadership debate saw former minister on defensive

By Nikitha Martins

Posted September 29, 2021 3:48 pm.

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The first debate in the BC Liberals’ leadership race saw former cabinet minister Kevin Falcon face questions about his reasons for entering the contest after a decade away from politics.

Falcon spent much of the 90-minute online debate defending his reasons for leaving politics and his decision to make a return to seek the party’s top job.

Falcon is a former minister of finance, health, and transportation in the Liberal governments of premiers Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark.

Vancouver Liberal MLA Michael Lee, who ran for the leadership in 2018 but was defeated by former leader Andrew Wilkinson, suggested Falcon is taking a part-time approach to the race because the former minister continues to hold his private-sector job.

Falcon says the party needs a reboot and he has a track record of success in public and private life.

Six candidates are in the race and Liberal party members will elect a new leader on Feb. 5.

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