B.C. Conservative leader unveils new critic roles after 9 MLAs quit the caucus

B.C Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay has unveiled her updated shadow cabinet after nine MLAs fled the party in recent weeks.

On Aug. 14, Peter Milobar was the first to announce he was leaving the caucus over frustrations with Findlay’s leadership and would sit as an Independent.

Findlay announced on Aug. 24 that Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew had replaced Milobar as finance critic as part of a mini shuffle of critic roles. 

However, several other MLAs then announced their departure from the caucus in quick succession. 

They included agriculture critic Ian Paton; community safety critic Rosalyn Bird; multiculturalism and community partnerships critic Teresa Wat; seniors and rural health critic Brennan Day; tourism critic Bruce Banman; housing critic Áʼa꞉líya Warbus; water, land, fisheries and wildlife management critic Donegal Wilson; and Indigenous Relations critic Scott McInnis. 

The departures reduced the B.C. Conservative caucus to 28 MLAs, down from the 44 elected under the party banner in the 2024 provincial election.

Findlay released her updated shadow cabinet on Wednesday, including a new role for herself as shadow minister for land and property jurisdiction. 

Findlay does not have a seat in the legislature. She is a candidate in the upcoming Abbotsford-Mission byelection, running for the seat recently vacated by Reann Gasper.

Here’s the full list: 

  • Kerry-Lynne Findlay, B.C. Conservative party leader and shadow minister for land and property jurisdiction.
  • Heather Maahs, (Chilliwack North), interim leader of the Official Opposition and shadow minister for agriculture and childcare and early childhood education.
  • Harman Bhangu, (Langley-Abbotsford), shadow minister for transportation and tourism.
  • Lynne Block, (West Vancouver-Capilano), shadow minister for education.
  • Brent Chapman, (Surrey South), shadow minister for arts, culture and AI.
  • Sheldon Clare, (Prince George-North Cariboo), Official Opposition House leader.
  • Pete Davis, (Kootenay-Rockies), shadow minister for mining and critical minerals.
  • Gavin Dew, (Kelowna-Mission), shadow minister for finance.
  • Mandeep Dhaliwal, (Surrey North), shadow minister for parental rights and sports.
  • Lorne Doerkson, (Cariboo-Chilcotin), deputy speaker.
  • Kiel Giddens, (Prince George-Mackenzie), shadow minister for economic development.
  • Trevor Halford, (Surrey-White Rock), shadow minister for transit and ICBC.
  • Sharon Hartwell, (Bulkley Valley-Stikine), shadow minister for rural infrastructure and development and caucus representative to the Conservative Party of B.C. board.
  • Linda Hepner, (Surrey-Serpentine River), shadow minister for labour.
  • Anna Kindy, (North Island), shadow minister for health and seniors.
  • Steve Kooner, (Richmond-Queensborough), shadow minister for attorney general.
  • Kristina Loewen, (Kelowna Centre), shadow minister for prosperity and social development and children and family development.
  • Tony Luck, (Fraser-Nicola), shadow minister for municipal affairs.
  • Macklin McCall, (West Kelowna-Peachland), Official Opposition whip.
  • Lawrence Mok, (Maple Ridge East), shadow minister for trade and skills training.
  • Korky Neufeld, (Abbotsford West), shadow minister for post-secondary education and international credentials, caucus policy development lead.
  • Larry Neufeld, (Peace River South), shadow minister for energy.
  • Claire Rattée, (Skeena), shadow minister for mental health, addictions and social housing.
  • John Rustad, (Nechako Lakes), shadow minister for treasury board.
  • Ward Stamer, (Kamloops-North Thompson), shadow minister for forestry, environment and parks.
  • Bryan Tepper, (Surrey-Panorama), shadow minister for solicitor general and emergency response.
  • Jody Toor, (Langley-Willowbrook), caucus chair and shadow minister for government services.
  • Misty Van Popta, (Langley-Walnut Grove), deputy whip and shadow minister for housing and infrastructure.
  • David Williams, (Salmon Arm-Shuswap), shadow minister for BC Hydro, electrical energy development and lands.
Emily Joveski
Emily Joveski
Emily is the provincial news reporter for Vista Radio, based in Victoria, B.C. She has worked in radio for more than a decade, and was previously on the airwaves as a broadcaster for The Canadian Press in Toronto.

Continue Reading

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Oxford English Dictionary adds ‘elbows up,’ and other popular Canadianisms

My word, a Canadian’s use of the English language is bedazzled with meaning, context, and historical significance.

OPP officer killed near Hearst, Ont

A 29-year-old OPP officer has been killed on duty in a rural area near Hearst. 

MPs approve federal budget in tight vote, averting a snap election

A narrow majority of MPs voted in favour of the Liberal government’s budget Monday, avoiding another federal election.

‘Generational investment’: Ottawa’s 2025 budget focuses on housing, workers and clean energy

A “generational investment” is how Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne introduced the 2025 federal budget, a plan that pours money into housing, workers and clean-energy projects.

Canadians head to the polls in ‘most important election of our time’

Polling stations are officially open across the country for those who have not already voted in advance polls.