Five MLAs who quit or were ejected from the B.C. Conservative caucus in recent weeks have been readmitted by the party’s new interim leader, Lorne Doerkson.
Doerkson said Monday that Trevor Halford, Clarie Rattée and John Rustad were back in the caucus, days after they were removed by leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
Findlay stepped down as leader on Sunday after weeks of party turmoil, including an exodus of 10 MLAs.
Scott McInnis and Linda Hepner also rejoined the caucus Monday.
McInnis had announced on Sept. 2 he would sit as in Independent, citing concerns about the direction of the Conservative party under Findlay’s leadership.
Hepner had quit the caucus on Sunday, hours before Findlay announced her resignation.
With the five MLAs returned the to caucus, the B.C. Conservatives now have 29 seats in the legislature.
Seven other MLAs who defected in recent weeks over concerns about Findlay’s leadership have joined up with CentreBC, including Peter Milobarm, who was named party leader.
Elenore Sturko also joined CentreBC, bringing their number on the legislature to eight. Sturko sat as an Independent since she was booted from the Conservative caucus last year.
Rustad said Monday he’s aware of “high-level” discussions about merging the two parties ahead of a widely expected, but unconfirmed, early election call from Premier David Eby.
“The province cannot afford two opposition parties while David Eby measures the timing of an election,” said Rustad in statement.
