BURSTBoundary-Similkameen MLA Donegal Wilson is leaving the B.C. Conservative Party, saying she has lost confidence in Kerry-Lynne Findlay as party leader.
“When Ms. Findlay became Leader, I promised myself I would keep an open mind and give her three
months to show us how she intended to lead,” Wilson said in a written statement. “Three months later, I have my answer. I never imagined things could go this wrong, this quickly.”
She said she now plans to sit as an Independent MLA.
Wilson is the eighth MLA to leave the Conservative Party in less than a month, and the 15th since the 2024 election. This leaves just 29 of the 44 elected Conservative Party members still in the caucus.
Staff have also been fleeing the party apparatus, of their own accord or at the behest of Findlay and her team. This includes resignations of party executive director Angelo Isidorou and party president Aisha Estey.
Wilson referenced the staff exodus in her resignation statement, saying that Findlay has appointed people with dubious records in their place, including people who have expressed sympathy with Alberta separatists.
“Experienced staff have been fired. In their place, Ms. Findlay has made senior appointments that raise serious questions about her judgment,” Wilson wrote.
She also references allegations that Findlay offered jobs to several MLAs in exchange for them resigning their seats for Findlay to run in a byelection. While Findlay was elected Conservative leader in May, she still does not have a seat in the legislature.
Canada’s Criminal Code bars any offer of “reward or profit” in exchange for resignation from elected office.
Delta South MLA Ian Paton told Black Press Media the RCMP is interviewing him Wednesday morning regarding these allegations.
Findlay has denied doing anything illegal.
Black Press Media has reached out to Wilson and Findlay for comment.
More to come.