After seven MLAs made the decision to leave the BC Conservative Party in August, another two have joined the mass exodus.
Donegal Wilson, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen electoral district, and Scott McInnis, MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke, have officially become the eighth and ninth BC Conservatives to quit the party since the last election.
Wilson said in a statement that she made the decision to leave and become an Independent due to concerns over the leadership of new party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
“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,” said Wilson in a statement.
“Three months later I have my answer. I never imagined things could go this wrong, this quickly.”
She noted in her statement that there has been a communication breakdown within the BC Conservatives and was specifically critical of Findlay’s staffing decisions.
“My goal has always been to serve the people of Columbia River-Revelstoke and help improve British Columbia,” said McInnis in a separate statement.
“However, I no longer believe that goal can be attained under the current [Conservative] leadership.”
Because Findlay is the leader, but lacks a seat in the legislature, she has been looking to win a seat through a byelection process.
Findlay has now been accused by several MLAs of asking them to step down from their position in exchange for a position within the party with a paycheque that is akin to their MLA wages.
Ultimately, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission Reann Gasper stepped down to allow Findlay to run in a byelection, and has since been appointed the BC Conservatives chief of staff.
Findlay denies all allegations against her.
“These allegations are baseless,” said Findlay in a statement.
“What we are seeing is a coordinated political attack designed to sidetrack our campaign at the very moment we are taking our message directly to the people of Abbotsford-Mission.”
The seven other MLAs who have left the party to become Independents include:
- Á’a:líya Warbus – MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake
- Brennan Day – MLA for Courtenay-Comox
- Teresa Wat – MLA for Richmond-Bridgeport
- Bruce Banman – MLA for Abbotsford South
- Rosalyn Bird – MLA for Prince George-Valemount
- Ian Paton – MLA for Delta South
- Peter Milobar – MLA for Kamloops Centre
Milobar and Paton have since stated they intend to form a new political party.
Wilson and McInnis say that despite leaving the party, their politics remain conservative in principle.
Currently, there are 48 NDP MLAs, 28 Conservatives, 14 Independents and two BC Green Party MLAs in the legislative assembly.
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