BURST
Boundary-Similkameen MLA Donegal Wilson will be known as the eighth MLA to leave the B.C. Conservative caucus under Kerry-Lynne Findlay, citing concerns with a lack of communication and allegations of wrongdoing by senior staff.
Wilson also said in a statement sent to media Wednesday that the cancellation of a planned caucus meeting on Monday by Findlay was a missed opportunity to air grievances and try to unite the caucus behind her.
She said: “Caucus members met anyway, but her absence spoke volumes.”
“I never imagined things could go this wrong, this quickly,” said Wilson. “Seven of my colleagues have already left caucus. Communication between the leader and her caucus has broken down, and I have watched colleagues I respect be treated in ways that deeply concern me.”
She cited allegations concerning Findlay’s former director of operations Apollo Chung and Findlay’s conduct in the last federal election campaign.
The upcoming byelection in Abbotsford-Mission also factored into Wilson’s decision as she stated that the race made her decision “unavoidable” because “remaining in caucus would mean raising money, knocking on doors and asking British Columbians to put their confidence in Kerry-Lynne Findlay.”
Along with Wilson, Peter Milobar of Kamloops Centre, Ian Paton of Delta South, Teresa Wat of Richmond-Bridgeport, Rosalyn Bird of Prince George-Valemount, Bruce Banman of Delta South, Brennan Day of Courtenay-Comox and Áʼa:líya Warbus of Chilliwack-Cultus Lake have all quit the Conservative caucus over concerns with Findlay’s leadership.
More to come …