Bruce Banman

Not to be confused with Bruce Bauman.

Bruce Banman
MLA
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Abbotsford South
Incumbent
Assumed office
October 24, 2020
Preceded byDarryl Plecas
Abbotsford City Councillor
In office
2018–2021
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
Occupationchiropractor

R. Bruce Banman is a Canadian politician in the province of British Columbia, currently serving as the member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the electoral district of Abbotsford South. First elected in the 2020 British Columbia general election as a member of the BC Liberal Party (later renamed 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 from 2011 to 2014, and an Abbotsford city councillor from 2018 to 2021.

Biography

Raised in Chilliwack, Banman attended the Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon.[1][2] In the early 1980s he moved to Abbotsford, where he worked as a chiropractor.[1][3] He is married with two children.[2]

Banman was elected mayor of Abbotsford in 2011, defeating incumbent mayor George Peary.[4] He ran for re-election in 2014, but was defeated by Henry Braun by fewer than 600 votes.[5] He returned to municipal politics in 2018 by winning a seat on the Abbotsford City Council, receiving the second-highest number of votes among the candidates.[6][7]

Banman announced in May 2019 his intention to seek the BC Liberal nomination for the riding of Abbotsford South in the next provincial election;[8] he defeated two others to secure the nomination in February 2020.[9] He was subsequently elected in the October 2020 general election, defeating Inder Johal of the New Democratic Party by over 2,000 votes,[10] and resigned as councillor in February 2021.[11] He served in the shadow cabinet as critic for emergency management, climate readiness and citizens' services.[12]

On September 13, 2023, Banman crossed the floor to join the Conservative Party, becoming the party's second MLA in the legislature;[13] he justified his move 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.[14]

He was re-elected as a Conservative in the 2024 provincial election,[15][16] and was named party whip by Conservative leader John Rustad that November.[17]

Electoral record

2024 British Columbia general election: Abbotsford South
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative Bruce Banman 13,053 61.61 –
New Democratic Sarah Kooner 7,454 35.18 –0.21
Independent Amandeep Singh 681 3.21 –
Total valid votes/expenses limit 21,188 100.00 – $71,700.08
Total rejected ballots    
Turnout    
Registered voters
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +30.91
Source: Elections BC[18]
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 [19] [20]

References

  1. ^ a b Mills, Kevin (October 5, 2011). "Banman seeking mayor's chair". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "MAYOR: Banman, Bruce". The Abbotsford News. October 24, 2014. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  3. ^ Uytdewilligen, Ryan (October 16, 2020). "Candidate Q&A: Bruce Banman". Aldergrove Star. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  4. ^ Judd, Amy (November 19, 2011). "Abbotsford election results 2011: elected Mayor | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  5. ^ Olsen, Tyler (November 18, 2014). "Braun wins the west, Banman the east in mayor's race". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  6. ^ Olsen, Tyler (September 14, 2018). "Former mayor Banman running for Abbotsford council seat". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  7. ^ Olsen, Tyler (October 21, 2018). "UPDATED: Candidates reflect on election wins – and losses". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  8. ^ Olsen, Tyler (May 23, 2019). "Bruce Banman to seek Abbotsford South BC Liberal nomination". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  9. ^ Olsen, Tyler (February 9, 2020). "Banman selected as BC Liberal candidate in Abbotsford South". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  10. ^ "Liberal Bruce Banman declared winner in Abbotsford South". The Abbotsford News. October 24, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  11. ^ Lypka, Ben (February 18, 2021). "Bruce Banman stepping down as Abbotsford city councillor". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  12. ^ Hopes, Vikki (December 8, 2022). "Abbotsford's 2 Liberal MLAs receive shadow minister appointments". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  13. ^ "BC United MLA Bruce Banman defects to provincial Conservatives". CTV News. The Canadian Press. September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  14. ^ DeRosa, Katie (September 13, 2023). "Update: MLA's defection to B.C. Conservatives could spell trouble for B.C. United party". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  15. ^ "BC election 2024 results: Abbotsford South | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  16. ^ Lypka, Ben (October 19, 2024). "Abbotsford South results: Bruce Banman re-elected as MLA". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  17. ^ Hopes, Vikki (November 21, 2024). "Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman named party whip for Conservatives". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  18. ^ "2024 Election Candidate List". Elections BC. September 28, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  19. ^ "2020 Provincial General Election Final Voting Results". electionsbcenr.blob.core.windows.net. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  20. ^ "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved February 2, 2021.