BC Political Figures React to Findlay’s Resignation as Provincial Conservative Leader

Current and former B.C. Conservatives are reacting to Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s Sept. 20 resignation as party leader, calling for the party to unite as it faces the prospect of a snap election.

Federal Conservative MP Aaron Gunn, who helped revive the B.C. Conservative Party before entering federal politics, said the recent events in the party have been “very disheartening” and thanked Findlay for her service.

“The last few weeks have been very disheartening, both as a conservative in British Columbia and, more specifically, as someone who dedicated so much time and energy to growing the conservative movement and the Conservative Party in B.C.,” Gunn posted on social media on Sept. 20.

“Now is the time for all conservatives to come together, put differences aside, unite, and do everything we can to defeat the NDP and bring common sense back to British Columbia,” he added.

Findlay’s Sept. 20 resignation came after a wave of departures from the B.C. Conservative caucus since August, including 10 MLAs who left and three who were removed. The departures have reduced the party’s caucus from the 44 seats it won in the 2024 provincial election to 24. The governing NDP has 47 seats.

In addition to Gunn, a number of B.C. political figures have reacted to Findlay’s resignation, including former B.C. Conservative MLA Claire Rattée, who was removed from the caucus and now sits as an Independent.

She said Findlay’s resignation gives provincial Conservatives a chance to “come together” and work toward becoming a “unified, credible government in waiting.”

“No part of the conservative movement can be excluded from this work,” she said in a Sept. 20 statement, adding that members of the caucus who have had conflicts with each other should put the past behind them.

Findlay removed Rattée from the B.C. Conservative caucus on Sept. 18, along with former party leader John Rustad and former interim party leader Trevor Halford. The removals came amid growing calls for Findlay to step down. Findlay said in a statement that there was “no room for internal power struggles or vanity projects.”

Rustad told reporters on Sept. 21 that the next leader of the party doesn’t need to be a sitting member of the legislature and “just has to be somebody who can pull this party together.”

“[Someone] who can show the province a vision for a prosperous British Columbia, a vision for how we can address the serious issues that the NDP has thrust upon the people in this province. People want change. We are going to deliver that for them,” Rustad said.

B.C. Premier David Eby has not yet commented publicly on Findlay’s resignation.

Responding to speculation that he may call an early election, Eby told reporters on Sept. 16 that he had “no election announcements to make today,” but said he had instructed Elections B.C. and his NDP caucus to be “election ready” amid disruptions caused by the ongoing trade war with the United States.

Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney criticized Eby’s comments while commenting on Findlay’s resignation, which he described as “A difficult, commendable decision from someone committed to her province, public service and, the conservative cause.”

Kenney said that seeking an election while the B.C. Tories are still choosing a new leader would be “unthinkably cynical and undemocratic.”

“In my view, the Lieutenant Governor should resist advice to dissolve the Legislature under such exigant circumstances,” he said.

Findlay announced she was stepping down on Sept. 20, less than four months after being chosen as the party’s leader, saying that turmoil within the party was distracting from its role as the Official Opposition.

“Energy that should have been directed toward challenging the NDP, advancing our principles, and preparing to form government has instead been spent infighting amongst ourselves,” Findlay said in a statement of resignation.

She said she intends to remain the B.C. Conservative candidate in Abbotsford-Mission, which is set to hold a byelection on Sept. 26.

In the wake of Findlay’s exit, the B.C. Conservatives have appointed Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson as interim leader.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.