Two more BC Conservative MLAs walked out of Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s caucus on September 2, and her chief of staff resigned the same day. It now holds just 29 of the 44 seats the party won in 2024.
Columbia River-Revelstoke’s Scott McInnis and Boundary-Similkameen’s Donegal Wilson left hours apart, the eighth and ninth MLAs to exit Findlay’s caucus since she took the leadership in late May, a run that included six departures within two weeks in mid-to-late August. Another six MLAs left under Findlay’s predecessor, and Reann Gasper resigned separately to clear a path for her byelection run, putting the party’s total losses since the 2024 vote at 16.
Read: Sixth BC Conservative MLA Quits Caucus in Two Weeks, Calls Leader “Unelectable”
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Wilson said that “communication between the Leader and her caucus has broken down.” She pointed to connections between some of Findlay’s staff and the Alberta separatist movement, and cited unverified claims that the party has mishandled its finances. “I never imagined things could go this wrong, this quickly,” she said.
McInnis raised similar concerns in his statement, saying hiring and firing decisions under Findlay have raised what he called “serious ethical questions” tied to the Alberta separatism allegations. He cited the RCMP’s inquiry into whether Findlay’s office offered MLAs paid jobs to resign as a further reason for his doubts.
Chris Delaney resigned as Findlay’s chief of staff the day the anonymous account “The Findlay Files” circulated audio it says captures him disparaging Indigenous people. Findlay promoted Gasper from deputy chief of staff to replace him.
Findlay again denied any wrongdoing over the resignation-for-jobs allegations. “I categorically reject any suggestion that I engaged in illegal or unethical conduct,” she said, dismissing the claims as a politically motivated attempt to derail her byelection campaign.
Read: Police Investigate Whether BC Conservative MLAs Were Paid to Quit
Voters in Abbotsford-Mission head to the polls September 26 for the byelection Premier David Eby called, Findlay’s first shot at winning a legislative seat.
