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British Columbia Libertarian Party

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

British Columbia Libertarian Party
Active provincial party
LeaderAlex Joehl[1]
PresidentPaul Geddes
SecretaryNeeraj Murarka
Deputy LeaderSandra Filosof-Schipper[2]
FoundedFebruary 1, 1986; 38 years ago (1986-02-01)
HeadquartersCoquitlam, British Columbia
IdeologyLibertarianism
ColoursGold and black
Seats in the Legislative Assembly
0 / 93
Website
www.libertarian.bc.ca

The British Columbia Libertarian Party is a libertarian party in British Columbia, Canada, that nominated its first candidates in the 1986 provincial election. There has never been a Libertarian elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, and they have been termed a fringe party.[3] In the 2020 British Columbia general election the party fielded 25 candidates and received 8,360 votes, or 0.4% of the popular vote. Keith Macintyre received 2.6% of votes in Penticton. In 2024, the party fielded only four candidates.[4]

The response to the COVID-19 crisis saw the BC Libertarian party as the only provincial party that opposed the public health measures.

Officers of the party

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In 2021, Keith MacIntyre was elected as party leader, Sandra Filosof-Schipper as deputy leader with Clayton Welwood remaining as party president. Dylan Davidson was named Party Treasurer, Brandi McLauchlan as Party Secretary and Rachel Whitehouse, Maizy Thorvaldson and Josh Hardy as executive directors.[5][6]

Values

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The BC Libertarian Party adopted private property rights extending from self-ownership and scarcity, and advocated for the creation of a British Columbia Constitution to enshrines and protects property rights.[7] They also stand for free speech except in cases of fraud or violence.[7] It adopts the Austrian School of Economics model, and rejects all government monopolies and rejects collective ownership of resources.[7] It promotes decentralisation – subsidiarity, secession, nullification, and localism – of political units down to the individual as a means of expanding choice and competition in governance for all individuals. It also rejects Federal infringement into areas of Provincial jurisdiction, seeking constitutional reform on the division of powers failing which it proposes secession.[7]

In 2020, the Libertarian Party pledged their support for ending the ICBC monopoly on basic auto insurance, [8] and allowing for more parental and student choice in education,[9] decentralizing decision-making powers to local communities, families, and individuals.[10] Abolishing provincial government monopoly on liquor and cannabis distribution.[11] Adapting to a changing climate and promoting environmental policies that will have the greatest impact.[12] Sweeping tax policy reform, including tripling the basic income tax exemption to $35,000 and abolishing the carbon, fuel, cigarette, liquor, and marijuana taxes.[13] Reducing transportation costs through the elimination of various taxes and regulatory bodies, and opening up the market to new innovations like car sharing, bike sharing, ride sharing, and other transportation solutions.[14] Removing legal barriers to ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft.[citation needed]

Election results

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Election results
Election year Party leader No. of
overall votes 		% of
overall total 		No. of
candidates run 		No. of
seats won 		Presence
1986 341 0.02 3
0 / 69
 		Extra-parliamentary
1991 860 0.06 11
0 / 75
 		Extra-parliamentary
1996 2,041 0.13% 17
0 / 75
 		Extra-parliamentary
2001 0 0% 0
0 / 79
 		Extra-parliamentary
2005 1,053 0.06% 6
0 / 79
 		Extra-parliamentary
2009 1,486 0.09% 6
0 / 85
 		Extra-parliamentary
2013 Clayton Welwood[15] 2,050 0.11% 8
0 / 85
 		Extra-parliamentary
2017 7,743 0.39% 30
0 / 87
 		Extra-parliamentary
2020 Donald Wilson[6] 8,360 0.44% 25
0 / 87
 		Extra-parliamentary
2024 Alex Joehl 1,337 0.07% 4
0 / 87
 		Extra-parliamentary

2024 candidates

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  • Alex Joehl, Langley-Abbotsford, who noted that "Libertarian principles are ingrained in us before preschool – don't hurt people, don't take their stuff".[16][17] Joehl had previously run in municipal, provincial and federal elections.[18] Received 192 votes for 0.76%.[19]
  • Damyn Tassie, Surrey-White Rock, who opined that "excessive regulation and taxation are inhibiting our productivity and undermining our ability to cultivate a sustainable economy".[17][20] Received 646 votes for 2.38%[19]
  • Robert Johnson, Vernon-Lumby has described his campaign as a "court jester" hoping to highlight follies of the system, and acknowledged his political naivete but opposes government overreach and feels individuals should be allowed to live their lives free of government interference.[17][21][22] Received 259 votes for 0.95%.[19][23]

References

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  1. ^ "Registered Political Parties - Information" (PDF). Elections BC. August 31, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  2. ^ "Meet our Executive Council". BC Libertarian Party. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  3. ^ Miller, James. "Keith MacIntyre new leader of B.C. Libertarian party". Penticton Herald. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  4. ^ Coombes, Caitlin (October 1, 2024). "Candidate list announced for 2024 BC Provincial General Election". Energeticcity.ca.
  5. ^ https://lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Committees/42nd2nd/rpea/20210526pm-ElectionActReview-Virtual-n6.pdf
  6. ^ a b Fischer, Corey. "BC Libertarian Party chooses new leader".
  7. ^ a b c d "Principles". BC Libertarian Party. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  8. ^ "End ICBC". BC Libertarian Party. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  9. ^ "More Choice in Education". BC Libertarian Party. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  10. ^ "Shrinking and Decentralizing Government". BC Libertarian Party. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  11. ^ "Abolishing The Liquor and Cannabis Cartel". BC Libertarian Party. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  12. ^ "Adapting to a Changing Climate". BC Libertarian Party. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  13. ^ "Lowering Taxes for Every British Columbian". BC Libertarian Party. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  14. ^ "Reducing Transportation Costs". BC Libertarian Party. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  15. ^ https://www.elections.bc.ca/docs/init/Registered-Political-Parties-Information.pdf
  16. ^ "MEET YOUR CANDIDATES: Who's running in Langley-Abbotsford". The Abbotsford News. October 18, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d https://elections.bc.ca/2024-provincial-election/candidate-list/
  18. ^ "Conservative projected next MLA for Langley-Abbotsford riding". Peace Arch News. October 21, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c d Osmond, Andrew (October 20, 2024). "B.C. VOTES | Election results from across British Columbia".
  20. ^ "Meet the candidates: Surrey-White Rock". Surrey Now-Leader. October 7, 2024.
  21. ^ Verster, Liam. "Vernon-Lumby Libertarian candidate hopes to 'act the jester' to point out follies of other parties".
  22. ^ "Vernon-Lumby voters cast 5,306 ballots in first 2 days of advance voting". Vernon Morning Star. October 13, 2024.
  23. ^ "A complete list of Okanagan results". Penticton Herald. October 21, 2024.
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