BURST
Longtime Richmond-Bridgeport MLA Teresa Wat has become the fourth member of the Conservative caucus to exit the party in recent days under Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s leadership.
In a statement posted on social media on Wednesday, Wat said the reason for her resignation from caucus was Findlay’s comments in a private leadership campaign group chat on May 6, during the leadership race, in which she insinuated Wat is affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party and that “the Chinese community that supports us knows this.”
Findlay’s message was leaked and posted online by the anonymous FindlayFiles account in July and Wat says that, despite the promise of a public apology, Findlay never expressed her regret for the comments, even in a private conversation she had with the MLA.
“On July 29, it was reported in the media that during the B.C. Conservative leadership campaign, Ms. Findlay was alleged to have made serious and unfounded accusations about me, including remarks that called my allegiance to Canada into question. These remarks were distasteful, hurtful and made me question my place in the B.C. Conservatives under her leadership,” said Wat.
“At the time though, I was travelling with family and I attempted to put the matter behind me. I had a brief conversation thereafter with the leader who did not apologize and wanted to focus on what’s before us. I decided to try to move on.”
She said that when she returned home, she was shocked to see the impact of the comments and heard from many who were appalled a public apology had not been issued.
After a conversation with Findlay and her chief of staff Chris Delaney earlier this week, Wat said that a promise of a public apology and clarification of the comments was made but that, so far, that has not happened.
“I cannot continue to sit in a caucus led by someone who has questioned my loyalty without evidence and, when given the opportunity to correct the record, has failed to do so,” she said.
“I firmly believe we need an alternative to the NDP that is trying to grow and not one trying to divide. That is not the direction of the B.C. Conservatives under Kerry-Lynne Findlay.”
Wat follows Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar, Delta South MLA Ian Paton and Prince George-Valemount MLA Rosalyn Bird in resigning from the B.C. Conservatives in the last two weeks, with Paton and Bird leaving on Monday and Tuesday respectively.
Wat has served in the legislature since 2013, first under the B.C. Liberal and B.C. United banners before joining the Conservatives in 2024.
In a statement, Findlay said she will be opening nominations to find candidates for the ridings were MLAs have left the party as part of preparations for the next election.
“Recent resignations from our caucus are a matter of public record. Our party’s path is clear and unwavering: we will deliver hope, opportunity, and lasting prosperity to all British Columbians,” she said.
“Our door is open to those who want to build, not tear down. The work of renewing B.C. continues without distraction.”