Bruce Banman
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Abbotsford South
Assumed office
October 24, 2020
Preceded byDarryl Plecas
Mayor of Abbotsford, British Columbia
In office
2011–2014
Preceded byGeorge Peary
Succeeded byHenry Braun
Personal details
Political partyBC Conservative (2023–present)
Other political
affiliations		BC Liberal/BC United (2020–2023)
Residence(s)Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada

R. Bruce Banman is a Canadian politician in the province of British Columbia. He is the Member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Abbotsford South. First elected in the 2020 British Columbia general election as a BC Liberal (now BC United), he crossed the floor to join the Conservative Party on September 13, 2023. Prior to his election to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, he was the mayor of Abbotsford, British Columbia from 2011 to 2014, and an Abbotsford city councillor from 2018 to 2021.

Political career

Municipal politics

In 2011, Banman was elected mayor of Abbotsford, defeating incumbent mayor George Peary.[1] He was defeated for re-election in 2014 by Henry Braun.[2]

Banman returned to municipal politics in 2018, in a bid for a seat on the Abbotsford City Council.[3] He was successful in his bid, and received the second-highest number of votes among the candidates.[4] Banman resigned as councillor on February 18, 2021, in order to fully devote his time to being MLA for Abbotsford South, to which he had been elected in October 2020. His resignation took effect on February 28.[5]

Provincial politics

Ahead of the 2020 election, Banman was selected as the BC Liberal candidate for the seat of Abbotsford South, defeating two others for the nomination.[6] He was subsequently elected in the general election, defeating Inder Johal of the NDP by over 2,000 votes.[7]

On September 13, 2023, Banman crossed the floor to join the Conservative Party, becoming the party's second MLA in the legislature.[8] Banman justified his party change as allowing him to better represent his constituents. His crossing gave the Conservatives official party status in the legislature, and he was named the caucus house leader.[9]

Electoral record

2020 British Columbia general election: Abbotsford South
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Bruce Banman 9,730 44.69 −7.79 $44,289.90
New Democratic Inder Johal 7,706 35.39 +7.30 $729.55
Green Arid Flavelle 2,617 12.02 −2.98 $1,251.04
Christian Heritage Laura-Lynn Thompson 1,720 7.90 +3.67 $0.00
Total valid votes 21,773 100.00 –
Total rejected ballots 210 0.96 +0.18
Turnout 21,983 48.46 −6.25
Registered voters 45,365
Source: Elections BC [10] [11]

References

  1. ^ Judd, Amy (2011-11-19). "Abbotsford election results 2011: elected Mayor | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  2. ^ Olsen, Tyler (2014-11-19). "Braun wins the west, Banman the east in mayor's race". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  3. ^ Olsen, Tyler (2018-09-14). "Former mayor Banman running for Abbotsford council seat". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  4. ^ Olsen, Tyler (2018-10-21). "UPDATED: Candidates reflect on election wins – and losses". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  5. ^ Lypka, Ben (2021-02-18). "Bruce Banman stepping down as Abbotsford city councillor". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  6. ^ Olsen, Tyler (2020-02-09). "Banman selected as BC Liberal candidate in Abbotsford South". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  7. ^ "Liberal Bruce Banman declared winner in Abbotsford South". Abbotsford News, October 24, 2020.
  8. ^ "BC United MLA Bruce Banman defects to provincial Conservatives". CTV News. The Canadian Press. 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  9. ^ DeRosa, Katie (2023-09-13). "Update: MLA's defection to B.C. Conservatives could spell trouble for B.C. United party". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  10. ^ "2020 Provincial General Election Final Voting Results". electionsbcenr.blob.core.windows.net. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  11. ^ "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved February 2, 2021.


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