Fulmer Goes on Offence, Attacking Elliott as 'Liberal Opportunist' in BC Conservative Race

The BC Conservative leadership race is getting sharper, with candidate Yuri Fulmer launching a pointed attack on rival Caroline Elliott, framing her as a "BC Liberal (United) insider" whose candidacy threatens to hijack what he calls the soul of the party.

In a campaign email sent to supporters, Fulmer opened with a blunt provocation: "It's the endorsement no Conservative wanted. But BC Liberal (United) insider Caroline Elliott got it."

The email references an NDP press release from January 16, in which Ladysmith-Oceanside MLA Stephanie Higginson praised Elliott's positions on safe supply drugs and sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) education — while simultaneously framing her as a threat to the Conservative base.

"While it's encouraging to see someone who supports safer supply and education on sexual orientation and gender identity enter the race, it's disappointing that she's running to lead a caucus that often opposes those measures," Higginson said in the press release. "Her long-time support for the BC Liberals and Kevin Falcon show that she would double down on their failed approach."

Fulmer seized on those words, arguing that the NDP press release came with "receipts" — detailing Elliott's past support for BC Liberal (United) leader Kevin Falcon's pro-SOGI stance and her publicly stated position that safe supply of drugs can play a role in addiction recovery.

Elliott did describe safe supply in those terms in a March 2024 CBC interview: "There is a role for safe supply. It can stabilize folks. It can help manage their cravings, help them transition to treatment, and help them ultimately get well. That's a wonderful thing."

Elliott has also been described as one of Falcon's most steadfast allies, and served as a BC United vice-president before the party folded, continuing to donate to the organization for at least four months after the BC Conservatives became the official opposition.

Fulmer, the chancellor of Capilano University and the candidate backed by former MLA Bruce Banman, framed his own campaign as a firewall against what he called a liberal takeover.

"We're in a fight for the heart and soul of our Conservative Party," Fulmer wrote. "This leadership race will determine whether our Party stays Conservative — or whether it's taken over by liberal opportunists who want to hijack what we've built. I'm running for Conservative leader to stop the liberal takeover of our Party."

His platform, which he calls a Freedom Charter, includes protecting property rights, parental rights, religious freedom, conscience rights, merit-based hiring, and other freedoms. He also said he would outlaw mandatory digital ID and pledged to fight Ottawa's expansion of assisted suicide.

Elliott's campaign has not yet publicly responded to Fulmer's attack. The BC Conservative leadership vote is scheduled for May 30, 2026.