The B.C. Conservatives might be suffering a bad case of buyer’s remorse as it pertains to their new leader.
Kerry-Lynne Findlay has been the party head for only three months and is facing her most significant headwinds to date after five MLA’s have departed in the past week including Prince George-Valemount representative Rosalyn Bird, who is electing to sit in the legislature as an independent.
She joins longtime Delta South MLA Ian Paton, Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar along with four-term Richmond-based MLA Teresa Wat and Courtney-Comox newcomer Brennan Day.
Paton and Milobar are in the midst of creating a centre-right party while the remaining three will stick out with be without a party, at least for now.
In an interview with Vista Radio, Bird is disgusted the hard work former leader and longtime Nechako Lakes MLA did to put the party back on the map is being undone.
“The fact that has been jeopardized for a variety of reasons over the last two years is very disappointing. What he did was remarkable and should be acknowledged and deserves nothing but respect.”
“I was a John supporter and although, I had some challenges with his leadership towards the end, I still have tremendous respect for what he accomplished and what he saw as a vessel to move this province forward in a positive way.”
Bird argues the party is in worse shape now than it was in December when Rustad was ousted from the role as leader and that the current in-party turmoil will not win them over with the voting public.
“Based on the current climate, that is very accurate and unfortunate. A lot of us worked very, very hard to get the Conservatives back to the province. I was involved with the party long before I was running.”
“To be quite frank, I wasn’t sure that my skills in the military would translate into the political environment. I had reservations about that, but John was very convincing in saying they were very much transferable and wanted me on his team. I worked hard to promote the party early on.” added Bird.
“I think they (the voters) want elected officials to focus on the issues that are important to them, which is growing our economy, making the cost of living more affordable and strengthen our health care, growing industries and natural resources. All the things that can make us a provincial powerhouse.”
When asked if she’ll be joining Paton and Milobar if a new party is formed, Bird stated she is more focused on the work ahead that matters most to her constituents and will look at party possibilities another time.
Bird is also puzzled by Findlay’s benchmarks on what a Conservative should be, noting a lot of good, quality MLA’s have exited the Tories less than two years after BC United suspended its election campaign allowing household names like Elenore Sturko to go elsewhere.
“That has been the case since the leadership race. There have been innuendos and conversations on whether or not to pass a Conservative purity test. I don’t think that is a thing. When the parties amalgamated during the election of 2024 when the BC United folded, several individuals were welcomed to the party because they held Conservative principles and values.”
“Nobody questioned that at the time and it’s been a year and a half since the election and those individuals have been highly productive within caucus and now I don’t understand why there is a question now on whether or not someone is or is not Conservative enough.” said Bird.
Earlier today (Wednesday), Findlay also announced the termination of the party’s director of operations.
In total, the B.C. Conservative caucus has lost 12 MLAs through expulsions, defections, and resignations since the October 2024 provincial election.
Here is the full timeline:
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- March 7, 2025: Dallas Brodie is ejected from the caucus by leader John Rustad. Around this period, MLAs Jordan Kealy and Tara Armstrong also depart.
- September 2025: Elenore Sturko is removed from the Conservative caucus by John Rustad.
- October 20, 2025: Amelia Boultbee resigns from the Conservative caucus.
- March 26, 2026: Hon Chan is removed from the caucus by interim leader Trevor Halford following criminal charges.
- August 14, 2026: Peter Milobar quits the caucus citing a lack of alignment with new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
- August 22, 2026: Reann Gasper resigns her seat to allow leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay to run in a byelection.
- August 24, 2026: Ian Paton departs the caucus to sit as an Independent and plans to form a new political party.
- August 25, 2026: Rosalyn Bird resigns from the Conservative caucus.
- August 26, 2026: Teresa Wat quits the party to sit as an Independent, citing disputes with Findlay’s leadership.
- August 26, 2026: Brennan Day also exits the B.C. Conservative caucus, citing a loss of confidence in Findlay
