Already, almost a full slate of conservative candidates is being primed to run in next fall’s municipal election.
On Nov. 3, the Conservative Electors Association announced it was accepting mayor and city council candidate applications across the province. The group held a launch reception on Nov. 14. They are getting a head start on the Oct. 17, 2026 general local elections in B.C.
“We’ve had a lot of really strong interest in Maple Ridge,” said association president David Denhoff. “They’re people who would make good candidates.”
So far, he has not seen the same level of interest in Pitt Meadows.
He explained a full slate of candidates would create an avenue for real change.
“At a basic level, getting a group of people working together is powerful,” said Denhoff.
The association has registered with Elections BC to run in 15 cities across the province, and is accepting applications from community leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, first responders, volunteers, and other residents “who want to deliver safer streets, lower taxes, and families first at city hall through common-sense conservative leadership.”
Denhoff said the selection process includes multiple stages of vetting to ensure high standards of integrity, competence, and public trust.
His group is independent of the federal and provincial Conservative parties, Denhoff explained, although he was deputy director for the BC Conservatives. He said the association shares common values with those senior government parties, and predicts those values will resonate with voters.
“They (voters) are really sick and tired of polices that have led to people on the streets, to street disorder, crime, and drug use,” said Denhoff.
“And they’re really sick of rising property taxes.”
He said housing policies that work for families is a key issue he’s hearing, including in Ridge.
“In Maple Ridge, the cost of living is a main concern,” said Denhoff, “but property taxes go up year after year, above the rate of inflation.”
He said crime is also a worry, with a Maple Ridge business owner shot in an apparent extortion case, and a recent drug trafficking operation busted near the downtown.
Andre Roberge was a candidate for Maple Ridge council during the last election, and while he did not comment on the new association specifically, he sees conservative principles making a comeback.
“Families want leaders who protect taxpayers, support safe communities, and keep bureaucracy in check, whether that’s at city hall or in the legislature,” he said.
The party is not registering to run school board candidates.
Applications are available online at conservativeassociation.ca.
Former MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay is chair of the group’s advisory board, and previously served as chief Opposition whip, minister of national revenue, associate minister of national defence, and parliamentary secretary to the minister of justice. She represented South Surrey-White Rock and Delta-Richmond East as an MP.
The Conservatives are registered in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Delta, Fort St. John, Kamloops, Kelowna, Langley Township, Maple Ridge, Prince George, Richmond, Saanich, Surrey, Vancouver, Vanderhoof, and West Vancouver.