B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Findlay dodges press questions about reported election probe

B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Kerry-Lynne Findlay held a press conference in Victoria on Monday to denounce reports about an alleged investigation into election wrongdoing, but quickly left without taking questions from reporters.

A report last week by Rob Shaw for Business in Vancouver alleged the former federal Conservative MP is under investigation for possible breaches of the Canada Elections Act. The report said the allegations relate to undeclared campaign services and foreign nationals canvassing.

Speaking from a prepared statement outside the B.C. legislature, Findlay said Elections Canada has not provided any notice of an investigation into her or her financial agent related to the 2025 federal election. 

“The allegations are completely false and untrue,” said Findlay.

Findlay went on to speak about some of her key priorities in her leadership campaign and encouraged Conservative members to vote. She spoke for less than eight minutes and walked away before reporters could ask further questions, getting into a black SUV and driving off. 

Asked why Findlay would not answer questions, campaign spokesperson Roberts Eales told reporters, “That was the decision that was made.”

The B.C. Conservatives’ Leadership Election Organizing Committee said Friday afternoon there was not enough credible evidence to take action against Findlay, and said she would remain in the race. 

The committee said it had 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.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections said they are aware of the reports, but the office generally does not confirm whether it has received a complaint or initiated an investigation. 

Voting in the B.C. Conservative leadership race kicked off on Saturday. The results are set to be announced May 30. 

Findlay is one of five leadership hopefuls.

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.