BURSTPremier David Eby is refusing to rule out calling a snap election amid the exodus of MLAs from the B.C. Conservative caucus.
“We’re preparing for the fall session … I understand that the Conservatives are in significant chaos,” he said when asked to give a “flat out yes or no” at a Burnaby news conference Tuesday (Sept. 1).
“Our focus remains on delivering for British Columbians, and that’s what we’re going to continue our focus on.”
Eby was asked to clarify his position, but did not.
In August, seven MLAs left the B.C. Conservative Party, all citing problems with new Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
The party now has 14 fewer MLAs than the 44 that were elected in 2024.
One of the 14 is Reann Gasper, the former Abbotsford-Mission MLA, who resigned her seat to allow Findlay to run in a byelection. She stepped down Aug. 22.
Eby called the byelection for that race on Aug 29, setting it for Saturday, Sept. 26.
He said on Tuesday that Gasper “bluntly, completely failed to serve the people of Abbotsford-Mission.”
He added that he’s looking forward to the byelection, which is why he called it “as quickly as possible.”
“I think the people of Abbotsford-Mission deserve someone that has a proven track record in their community, that has served that community as a mayor, as an MLA, as a minister of agriculture, and is keen and excited about serving them again.”
Pam Alexis will run against Findlay for the NDP. Alexis held that seat before Gasper, and served as Agriculture and Food minister, although the riding boundaries were different at that time.
Gasper beat out Alexis in the 2024 general election after the boundary shift.
Alexis is also the former mayor of Mission.