Tom Shypitka

An opposition research file on the "extremism" of the Conservative Party of British Columbia's executive director has been leaked by BC United sources, less than two weeks after the parties' leaders announced a deal to work together in the fall provincial election.

Independent candidates in British Columbia's upcoming fall election could be potential "power brokers" after what is expected to be a closely-fought contest between the New Democrats and the B.C. Conservatives, says the latest BC United candidate to drop party affiliation.

Both Mike Bernier and Tom Shypitka suggested in separate announcements Wednesday that Independent MLAs could influence the balance of power in the province after a tight election.

The cost of British Columbia's Site C hydroelectric dam has grown by $6 billion, bringing the price tag of the megaproject to $16 billion and stretching the completion date to 2025.