B.C. Conservative Party Fractures as 12 MLAs Defect Under Findlay
Three more B.C. Conservative MLAs quit or were asked to leave the party on September 18, bringing the total exodus to 12 since Kerry-Lynne Findlay took over as leader in May, raising questions about her leadership.
British Columbia's Conservative Party is facing an unprecedented political crisis as its leadership implodes under new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. On September 18, three more MLAs—Trevor Halford (Surrey-White Rock), Claire Rattée (Skeena), and John Rustad (Nechako Lakes)—left the caucus, either voluntarily or after being asked to depart by Findlay. This brings the total number of defections to 12 since Findlay was elected party leader on May 30.
The departures have been dramatic. Former interim leader Trevor Halford and former party leader John Rustad, who led the Conservatives to near-victory in the 2024 election with 44 seats, are among those now sitting as independents or joining the new CentreBC grouping. Ten MLAs have publicly called on Findlay to resign, and party officials revealed that a private investigator was hired without authorization to investigate leaks to a social media account tracking internal party conflict.
Leadership Crisis Deepens
- Political scientists describe the Conservative implosion as unprecedented in Canadian politics
- The party's chief of staff and multiple campaign and executive staff have also resigned
- Findlay insists she is staying on despite the crisis
The B.C. Conservatives still hold 25 seats in the legislature, but the ongoing exodus leaves their viability as a credible opposition in serious doubt. Foreigners considering a move to B.C. should be aware that provincial politics are highly unstable right now, with a possible snap election on the horizon, which could impact policy decisions around housing, immigration into the province, and business investment timelines.
Sources
Independent app, not a government. General information, not advice. The official source:
