Tempers flare at B.C. Liberal leadership debate

VANCOUVER (CP) — Tempers flared at the B.C. Liberal leadership debate in Vancouver as veteran candidates butted heads on the future of the party with newer faces calling for change. Veteran cabinet ministers Mike de Jong, Andrew Wilkinson and Todd Stone are facing backbenchers Sam Sullivan and Michael Lee, as well as former Conservative MP Dianne Watts.

Lee was prompted to say “don’t patronize me” in response to criticism from Wilkinson over his lack of experience and calls to expand the party’s appeal to voters.

Watts was also forced to defend her platform and commitment to the party with questions from de Jong, Wilkinson and Stone.

This is the final debate before party members vote next week on who will replace former party leader Christy Clark.

Bodies of B.C. father, teen daughter recovered

CAMPBELL RIVER (CP) — A search for a man and his teenage daughter who were swept away while crossing a Vancouver Island creek on an all-terrain vehicle has come to an end after both bodies were found. Paul Berry with Comox Valley Ground Search and Rescue says the girl’s teenage friend was also riding on the vehicle when it fell into Woods Creek near Campbell River on Sunday. He says neighbours heard screams and pulled the friend safely out of the water while a search was launched for the missing father and daughter. He says the girl’s body was found on Sunday night, and after crews resumed the search on Monday morning, they located the father’s body as well.

Berry says the trio had frequently crossed Woods Creek at that spot, which is normally benign, but the creek was raging because of rain and snow from the previous night. He is urging anyone who ventures into the backcountry to be aware of the changing conditions that may turn a familiar area into a dangerous one.

Police ID body found in car

TRAIL (CP) — RCMP say a body found in the trunk of a burnt out car in British Columbia is believed to be the victim of a targeted homicide. Mounties say the grey 1999 Honda Civic was found abandoned on Highway 22 about 11 kilometres north of Trail on Sunday. Thirty-eight year old Jordan Workman of Castlegar has been identified as the victim.

The coroners service has confirmed that his death was a homicide.