All MLAs in British Columbia have a base salary of $119,532. As leader, Brodie will receive an additional $29,883 a year as party leader and Armstrong an additional $11,953.

However, there’s already been a split among the three MLAs who left the B.C. Conservative fold; MLA Jordan Kealy, also a former Conservative, did not join One B.C., citing a “disagreement” over party values and leadership.

The emergence of One B.C. means Rustad will be facing challenges to his big tent party on two fronts, said Andrew Reeve, former communications director for the B.C. Liberals-turned-B.C. United.

Former B.C United MLA Karin Kirkpatrick has also launched a new political party called Centre B.C., courting former B.C. Liberals who feel Rustad has taken the Official Opposition too far to the right.

“On certain issues, One B.C. will try to pull [the B.C. Conservatives] apart, probably on the cultural issues,” Reeve said. “I don’t know if that’s a winning strategy in the province. I don’t think there’s enough voters in the ridings to win, and it’s certainly not enough to form government. But it could be enough to split the vote and cause a lot of damage for Rustad.”