The Western Block Party (WBP) is a political party in Canada founded in 2005 by Doug Christie. The party became officially registered on December 29, 2005.
The aim of the party is to promote the independence of Western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) from the rest of Canada.
The party's founding convention was held on November 20, 2005, in Sidney, British Columbia. Christie was unanimously confirmed as leader. A constitution was adopted and a full slate of officers was elected.
Western independence movements typically attract support from westerners who believe that western Canada does not get a fair deal within the Canadian confederation. The Western Block Party claim attracts members of differing economic views who are opposed to what they view as a corrupt federal government.
The party had four candidates in the 2006 federal election, including its leader, Doug Christie, who ran in the riding of Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca in British Columbia; none were elected. In the 2008 election, the party unsuccessfully ran one candidate, Patricia O'Brien, in Saanich-Gulf Islands. In both these elections the party's total vote count was second fewest of all parties. The party ran four candidates in the 2011 federal election, improving its standing only to third fewest due to a new party taking the second fewest standing.
Christie is also the leader of the Western Canada Concept Party of British Columbia, a political party that promotes separation at the provincial political level in British Columbia.
Christie is a lawyer in Canada who is well known for representing Ernst Zündel, among others. The Western Canada Concept (WCC) and WBP are not affiliated with the Separation Party of Alberta (SPA) or the Western Independence Party of Saskatchewan (WIPS). Officials in these parties have distanced themselves from Christie. The WIPS is currently attempting to establish a separate federal party, which would be called the Western Canada Party.
Read more about Western Block Party: Election Results
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