Voting begins in B.C. Conservative leadership race as Findlay denies reports of federal election wrongdoing

Voting in the B.C. Conservative leadership race kicks off Saturday amid uncertainty related to one candidate’s campaign.

The party said Kerry-Lynne Findlay will remain in the race after media reports alleged the former federal Conservative MP is under investigation for possible breaches of the Canada Elections Act.

The party’s Leadership Election Organizing Committee said Friday afternoon there was not enough credible evidence to take further action.

The committee said it has reached out to the Commissioner of Canada Elections and to Findlay’s campaign for more information about the reported investigation, but had not received any responses.

“Our goal is to provide the membership with as much information as possible and to act in the party’s best interests,” it said in a statement posted to the social media site X.

Findlay’s campaign manager Christopher Dyson said in a statement earlier this week the allegations made in the media are unproven and false. He said Findlay has not been notified of any investigation by Elections Canada or the commissioner’s office. 

Findlay is scheduled to speak to the media in Victoria on Monday. 

She is one of five candidates running to become the party’s next leader

Also in the race are former B.C. Liberal labour minister Iain Black, political commentator and former BC United vice-president Caroline Elliott, Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar, and entrepreneur Yuri Fulmer. 

Surrey White-Rock MLA Trevor Halford has been serving as interim leader since John Rustad stepped down in December.

The results of the leadership vote are set to be announced May 30.