Karin Kirkpatrick is a Canadian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (MLA) from 2020 to 2024. Elected as a member of the BC Liberal Party (later changing its name to BC United), she represented the electoral district of West Vancouver-Capilano. During her time in the Legislature, she served as the Official Opposition critic for Education, Children and Family Development, and Childcare and served as the Shadow Minister for Housing, Childcare, Autism & Accessibility, Gender Equity & Inclusion.
After running unsuccessfully as an independent candidate in the 2024 general election, Kirkpatrick founded the CentreBC political party after Kevin Falcon refused to resign as the leader of BC United. The party was registered with Elections BC on March 28, 2025.
Political career On February 8, 2024, Kirkpatrick announced that she would not seek re-election in the 2024 general election. On September 16, she announced that she would re-enter the campaign as an independent, citing disapproval of Kevin Falcon's decision to suspend the BC United campaign and endorse the BC Conservatives. She was defeated by Lynne Block of the Conservative Party in the election.
Following the election, Kirkpatrick founded CentreBC after Falcon refused to resign as leader of BC United. The party was registered with Elections BC on March 28, 2025. Kirkpatrick served as leader of CentreBC until stepping down on June 20, 2026.
Electoral history
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