The B.C. Conservative Party has seen two additional members resign, with Donegal Wilson and Scott McInnis becoming the eighth and ninth MLAs to leave the party recently. Both Wilson and McInnis cited concerns about party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s leadership as the reason for their departure.
Expressing her dismay, Wilson, who represents Boundary-Similkameen, stated, “I never expected things to deteriorate so rapidly.” While affirming her conservative beliefs, Wilson mentioned breakdowns in communication within the party and apprehensions about the direction under Findlay, particularly regarding staffing decisions.
In a separate statement, McInnis, MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke, conveyed that he no longer supports the “direction, judgment, and decisions of Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s leadership.” He criticized the party for becoming an exclusive club focused more on ideological credentials than on building a broad coalition to serve British Columbians and govern effectively.
Wilson and McInnis join seven other MLAs who have distanced themselves from the Conservatives, including Á’a:líya Warbus, MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake, who recently expressed a loss of confidence in Findlay.
The B.C. Conservative caucus emphasized its commitment to holding the NDP government accountable and restoring prosperity for the province’s residents. The party’s chief of staff, Chris Delaney, resigned, with Reann Gasper appointed as the new chief of staff. Gasper, who previously served as deputy chief of staff, stepped down as MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, enabling Findlay to contest a byelection.
Since assuming leadership in May, Findlay has faced challenges, including the departure of key staff members and allegations of attempting to persuade MLAs to resign to secure a seat in the B.C. Legislature, which she has refuted as a political attack. Former Conservatives Peter Milobar and Ian Paton have announced plans to establish a new party.
