BURSTB.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay is forced to shuffle critic roles after two MLAs with major portfolios quit the party, and a third stepped down to allow her to run in a byelection.
Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew will take over the Finance critic role from Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar, who quit on Aug. 14.
Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman will take the Agriculture portfolio from Delta South MLA Ian Paton, who announced on Monday (Aug. 24) that he too is leaving the party to sit as an Independent. Banman will also continue as tourism critic.
Milobar and Paton say they plan to form a new centrist party.
Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper has also announced she is stepping aside, resigning her position so Findlay can run for a seat in the legislature. Findlay was elected as party leader on May 30, but is not a sitting MLA.
Gasper is to become Findlay’s deputy chief of staff.
Langley-Walnut Grove MLA Misty Van Popta will replace Gasper as deputy whip, while continuing to serve as Infrastructure critic.
To round out the changes, Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Scott McInnis will now lead caucus policy development, in addition to his current role as Indigenous Relations critic.
READ MORE: Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservatives, plans to form new party with Peter Milobar