Iain Black, former BC Liberal minister, entered the B.C. Conservative leadership race in 2026, advocating fiscal reform amid a $13.3 billion deficit and $154 billion debt.

Former BC Liberal cabinet minister Iain Black has entered the B.C. Conservative Party leadership race, calling for fiscal reform amid a projected $13.3 billion deficit and $154 billion in debt. Speaking in Lumby in February 2026, he emphasized his experience turning around struggling organizations, both public and private, and argued that proven government leadership—like his roles as Minister of Labour and Small Business—matters more than opposition experience. He criticized the province’s fiscal trajectory, citing burdens on younger generations, and said he was encouraged to run after a 2025 federal election loss, following advice from former federal minister Ed Fast. Black aims to restore accountability and deliver results to position the party for victory.