VICTORIA — A former B.C. cabinet minister is the new leader of CentreBC, an upstart political party that lacks a seat in the legislature but offers itself as a middle-of-the-road alternative to the two major parties in provincial politics.

The party announced outside the legislature that Mike Bernier is its new leader, having served from 2013 to 2024 in various roles, including minister of education from 2015 to 2017 as a BC Liberal.

Bernier, who served as MLA for Peace River South in northeastern B.C., says in a statement he is taking on his new role because British Columbia needs a party that is socially progressive but fiscally responsible.

He says neither the governing B.C. NDP under Premier David Eby nor the B.C. Conservatives under their new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay adequately represent his values.

Bernier says CentreBC is focused on bringing together a “broad coalition of builders and doers” instead of “excluding anyone who does not pass a purity test.”

The former MLA replaces his former caucus colleague Karin Kirkpatrick, who founded the party in April 2025 but resigned the leadership in June.

“Mike is the right person to lead CentreBC as we offer British Columbians a socially progressive, fiscally responsible alternative to the tired NDP government and the hard-right BC Conservatives,” Kirkpatrick said in the statement that announced Bernier as leader.

Kirkpatrick said Bernier leads with integrity, common sense, and a genuine commitment to the people he serves, adding he understands both the opportunities and the challenges facing communities across British Columbia.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2026.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press