Findlay addresses B.C. Conservative defections, says there could be more

B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay held a press conference for the first time in almost two months on Tuesday as she seeks to stabilize her caucus after two high-profile departures by long-time MLAs.

“There may even be others that leave our caucus; I don’t know,” Findlay told reporters in Vancouver.

She stood flanked by core caucus supporters within the caucus, including her husband, Surrey South MLA Brent Chapman, and Reann Gasper, the MLA for Abbotsford-Mission who has declared her intention to step down for Findlay to run in a byelection to gain a seat in the legislature.

Findlay’s party has been embroiled in infighting since her election on May 30, as staff depart and MLAs quit the party. Findlay deferred responsibility for staff leaving, saying any departures were the choice of those staffers or a result of a party board decision.

Over the last few weeks, almost the entirety of the party executive has also quit, including executive director Angelo Isidorou and party president Aisha Estey.

More to come.