Boundary-Similkameen MLA Donegal Wilson has left the B.C. Conservative caucus, saying she has lost confidence in party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
Wilson announced Wednesday she will sit as an Independent, becoming the eighth MLA to leave the Conservative caucus since Findlay was elected leader in May.
Wilson said in a statement she wanted to give Findlay three months to demonstrate how she intended to lead the party, but said communication between the leader and caucus has since broken down.
“I never imagined things could go this wrong, this quickly,” said Wilson.
Wilson said Findlay’s choice of senior leadership staff have led her to question Findlay’s judgement. That includes Findlay’s director of operations Apollo Chung, who has ties to Alberta’s separatist movement.
Chung was fired last week after an audio recording circulated on social media that purported to feature a political staffer discussing using fundraisers for personal financial gain. The recording and the speaker in the leaked audio hasn’t been verified, and Findlay didn’t provide a reason for Chung’s firing.
Wilson also pointed to allegations of federal election wrongdoing that arose just ahead of the leadership vote, and questions about whether Findlay may have illegally offered inducements to get MLAs to give up their seat so that she could run in a byelection. In both cases, Findlay has denied all wrongdoing.
Wilson said she requested an in-person caucus meeting two weeks ago to give members an opportunity to speak openly with Findlay. She said the meeting was scheduled for Monday but was cancelled less than two days beforehand. Caucus members met without Findlay.
“Her absence spoke volumes,” said Wilson.
“After three months, the dam has burst. I no longer believe [Findlay] can bring Conservatives back together, rebuild trust or restore the credibility needed to defeat the NDP,” she said.
Premier David Eby called a byelection Saturday for Abbotsford-Mission, where Findlay is seeking a seat in the legislature. The seat became vacant after Conservative MLA Reann Gasper resigned in August.
Wilson said the byelection was the last straw that led her to quit the caucus.
“Remaining in caucus would mean raising money, knocking on doors and asking British Columbians to put their confidence in Kerry-Lynne Findlay. I cannot do that,” she said.
Wilson said she remains a fiscal conservative and is still committed to representing her constituents in Boundary-Similkameen.
Wilson was first elected to the legislature in the 2024 provincial election, and served as critic for water, land, fisheries, and wildlife management.
Peter Milobar, Ian Paton, Rosalyn Bird, Teresa Wat, Brennan Day, Bruce Banman and Áʼa꞉líya Warbus have also left the caucus in recent weeks to sit as Independents.
Milobar and Paton have said they intend to start their own centre-right party, but so far none of their fellow former Conservatives have publicly committed to joining them.
