BURST
MLA Linda Hepner said Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s ouster this week of three “seasoned” B.C. politicians was the last straw, leading her to resign from the B.C. Conservative caucus.
In a statement, the representative for the Surrey-Serpentine River riding said she will remain in the legislature and continue to focus on the interests of her constituents.
“I didn’t decide to do this lightly,” said Hepner in a letter to the embattled Conservative leader, which she shared with media on Sunday. “After decades in public life, I remain committed to the conservative principles, to responsible government, and to representing British Columbians with common sense and integrity.
“I have, however, lost confidence in that happening, and with the leadership’s willingness to listen, to seek experienced advice, and to consider perspectives beyond its immediate circle.
“The decision to remove three seasoned politicians from caucus has brought that concern to a head. To me, it is beyond the pale of common sense to remove experienced voices rather than find a way to listen to them.”
On Friday, Findlay announced that John Rustad and Trevor Halford — the former leader and interim leader of the Conservative party in the B.C. legislature, respectively — and Claire Rattée, had been booted from caucus . It came after a tense meeting on Wednesday where it is believed Rustad and Rattée were among 10 MLAs who signed a letter asking Findlay to step down.
“I am particularly troubled by the contradiction in the recent appeal to the grassroots,” Hepner said. “John Rustad built this party from a single elected member. Whatever differences leadership perceives exists, he unquestionably represents a deep connection to the grassroots of this party.”
Hepner praised Rustad for bringing the party to its highest standing in the polls and being “one of the strongest voices we had for mental health and addiction issues.”
Hepner said she is concerned at the shrinking party base under Findlay’s disruptive leadership, which has seen a rash of resignations on top of the removal of caucus members and senior party officials.
“The math simply does not add up,” said Hepner. “Grassroots members should be listened to, not simply appealed to. And elected representatives should be able to offer honest advice without having their commitment questioned because they disagree with leadership.”
Hepner also alluded to Findlay’s “early hiring disasters” and allegations that Findlay’s former party executive director, Elaine Allan, hired a private investigator to surveil about a dozen party members, including six MLAs.
It has all led to, as Hepner said, “a distracting cacophony of voices that are not grounded in the everyday concerns of British Columbians.”
Hepner did not say whether she is considering joining the fledgling centre-right party led by Peter Milobar , which now has eight sitting members. Findlay does not have a seat and is running in the Abbotsford-Mission byelection set for Sept. 26.
Hepner did say she views herself as a “centrist conservative.”
“I believe conservatism is strongest when it is practical, reasonable and grounded — not when it becomes defined by ever-increasing division.”
She said her “heart is heavy” to leave her partners in caucus. “I am truly sorry it has come to this, however, after decades of public service, I believe I have a responsibility to exercise my own judgment and to protect the integrity of the legacy I have worked hard to build.”
Hepner’s exit drops the number of Conservative MLAs to 24, down from 38 when Findlay became leader three months ago and 44 at the time of the 2024 provincial election.
Before winning the Conservative seat in 2024, Hepner served as Surrey’s mayor and as a city councillor.
With files from Alec Lazenby