BURST
Á’a:líya Warbus announced Monday that she is leaving the B.C. Conservative caucus and will sit as an Independent in the legislature, becoming the seventh MLA to leave the party in only a little over two weeks.
Rumours had circulated that Warbus would leave the caucus as soon as she got back from a trip to Singapore to compete at the 2026 International Va’a World Sprint Championships, an outrigger canoe competition, which ran until Aug. 31.
The Chilliwack-Cultus Lake MLA said in a statement that the cancellation of a planned caucus meeting in Richmond on Monday was the final straw, and that she had growing concerns with some of the hirings and firings by new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay , as well as allegations involving the now fired director of operations, Apollo Chung.
Warbus also drew attention to allegations by Delta South MLA Ian Paton, who left the party last Monday, that Findlay had offered him an agricultural advisor role with the party if he resigned his seat to run in a byelection, drawing legal and ethical concerns .
In an audio clip leaked from a caucus retreat in Penticton earlier this summer, Findlay can be heard offering any MLA who steps down to allow her to run a position with the party in the same portfolio as their critic role.
“There has been a critical breakdown in communication — not only with the public, but also with MLAs and staff. Caucus members have learned of hirings, firings, critic appointments, and leadership positions through any and all channels, including social media, before being informed by leadership,” said Warbus.
“The decision to postpone today’s caucus meeting for a month reflects the lack of value being placed on caucus members and their opinions.”
First elected in 2024, Warbus is the daughter of former Lt.-Gov. Steven Point and served as Opposition House Leader under both previous leader John Rustad and interim leader Trevor Halford, before being replaced with Prince George-North Cariboo MLA Sheldon Clare by Findlay.
Besides Warbus and Paton, the exodus from the caucus has also included Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar, Richmond-Bridgeport MLA Teresa Wat, Courtenay-Comox MLA Brennan Day, Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Rosalyn Bird and Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman.
The party says the caucus meeting was cancelled to allow Findlay to focus on the upcoming byelection in Abbotsford-Mission . The caucus meeting has been tentatively rescheduled for Sept. 27, the day after the vote.