Bruce Banman
Richard Bruce Banman is a Canadian politician who has served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia representing the electoral district of Abbotsford South since 2020 [British Columbia general election|2020]. Initially elected as a member of the BC Liberal Party, he crossed the floor to join the Conservative Party in 2023. Prior to provincial politics, he served as the mayor of Abbotsford from 2011 to 2014, and an Abbotsford city councillor from 2018 to 2021.
Early life and career
Raised in Chilliwack, Banman moved to Abbotsford in the early 1980s. He attended Fraser Valley College before transferring to the Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon. He graduated in 1997, then worked as a chiropractor and small business owner in Abbotsford. He is married with two children.Political career
Abbotsford municipal politics
Banman was elected mayor of Abbotsford in 2011, defeating incumbent mayor George Peary. He ran for re-election in 2014, but was defeated by Henry Braun by fewer than 600 votes. 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. Throughout his career he advocated for agricultural sustainability and the protection of farming heritage.BC United/Liberals
Banman announced in May 2019 his intention to seek the BC Liberal nomination for the riding of Abbotsford South in the next provincial election; he defeated two others to secure the nomination in February 2020. He was subsequently elected in the [2020 British Columbia general election|October 2020 general election], defeating Inder Johal of the British Columbia [New Democratic Party|New Democratic Party] by over 2,000 votes, and resigned as councillor in February 2021. He served in the shadow cabinet as critic for emergency management, climate readiness and citizens' services.Conservative Party of BC
On September 13, 2023, Banman crossed the floor to join the Conservative Party, becoming the party's second MLA in the legislature; 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.He was re-elected as a Conservative in the 2024 provincial election, garnering 62% of the vote and was named party whip by Conservative leader John Rustad that November.