Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon sets sights on 2024 in party convention address

Newly minted British Columbia Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon is already looking ahead to the next election, promising to address issues he says John Horgan’s NDP government has failed to tackle.

His remarks came during Sunday’s keynote address at the 2022 BC Liberal Party convention in Penticton.

The party says about 800 delegates gathered to plan strategy ahead of the next provincial vote, currently slated for fall 2024.

Falcon, who won the party’s leadership race earlier this year, renewed his promise to rebuild the party in consultation with members, starting with a potential name change. He won the Vancouver-Quilchena riding by-election, held on April 30, defeating Jeanette Ashe of the NDP by almost 4,000 votes.

He criticized the NDP government’s stance on a provincial doctors shortage, the overdose crisis, affordable housing, education funding and its plans to embark on a $789-million museum rebuilding project.

“In the half decade the NDP have been in power we’ve seen a record increase in the number of overdose deaths … and a worsening public safety crisis,” Falcon said during his address.

“We need genuine 24/7 care for those suffering from mental health challenges,” he added.

Related links:

• BC Liberal party delegates vote to begin name change process

• BC Liberals gather in Okanagan, consider name change, look toward 2024 election

Falcon said while the NDP say they recognize the challenges the healthcare system is facing, nothing is being done.

“The problem is (Horgan) has no credible plan to actually address the crumbling, tittering healthcare system.”

He says the next election will be won by the party that “offers real, meaningful, concrete solutions to these problems.”

On Saturday, BC Liberal delegates voted to move the name-changing decision forward.

“The party will immediately begin a wider consultation process over the coming months before holding a vote of the entire party membership before the end of the year,” said a party statement.

Falcon said a new name must represent all of the party membership and their values.

“A party of members with diverse backgrounds and perspectives is a better and stronger party. The party’s name must be one that reflects a diverse and inclusive big-tent coalition.”

A name change committee will be created to decide on timelines and the consultation process.

“This is a decision that the membership will ultimately make, and we want to hear from everyone, so we encourage people to go online and give us their thoughts,” says Falcon.