Kerry-Lynne Findlay elected new leader of B.C. Conservatives

Kerry-Lynne Findlay wins B.C. Conservativist leaders rush in fourth-ballot triumph

B.C. Conservatives’ executive director on five-day leadership race

Leadership hopefuls clash at B.C. Conservative Party debate

B.C. Conservatives try to turn the page on a tumultuous year

B.C. Conservatives form leadership committee responsible for choosing new leadership

Political Panel: Where did John Rustad go wrong?

John Rustad resigns as B.C. Conservative Party leader after day of drama

With that, the B.C. Conservatives have a new leader in Kerry-Lynne Findlay. 

Findlay narrowly defeated her opponents, winning a slight majority of 51 per cent of the votes on the fourth ballot. 

It remains to be seen what this will mean for the direction of the party going forward, and its future in the legislature holding the NDP to account as the Official Opposition.

The party's former leader John Rustad struggled to keep the factions of the party – from moderate former B.C. Liberals to more right-leaning members – together. Now, it's Findlay's turn to show how she will navigate these same challenges.

The first meeting between Findlay and her caucus is set to take place tomorrow.

Thanks for joining us. We'll have more coverage and analysis on cbc.ca/bc in the days ahead.

NDP Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside slammed the new B.C. Conservative leader in a statement, calling out her "racist attacks" on MLA and leadership candidate Peter Milobar.

During the campaign, Findlay said Milobar had a conflict of interest on DRIPA, B.C.'s reconciliation legislation which the Conservatives have called to repeal, because his wife and children are Indigenous.

“In this campaign, she’s shown that she’ll use the politics of Donald Trump, like targeting her opponents for their race,” said Whiteside.

“She’s the most extreme and divisive leader of a major political party in B.C. History, and British Columbians won’t stand for it.”

Findlay addressed the issue to reporters after her speech – saying that she and Milobar can work together despite her allegations.

Findlay says it’s too early to decide if any of the six MLAs who were kicked out or left will be invited back into the fold. She told reporters there’s a caucus meeting tomorrow and those issues will be discussed.

Currently, six former B.C. Conservatives sit as independent MLAs in the legislature.

Former leader John Rustad kicked Dallas Brodie out of the caucus in spring 2025 for "mocking" residential school survivors. That sparked the defections of MLAs Jordan Keeley and Tara Armstrong. Armstrong and Brodie briefly formed their own party, OneBC, though Armstrong has since left due to internal divisions.

In September 2025, Rustad ousted outspoken MLA Eleanor Sturko from the caucus, following the outcome of his leadership review. Amelia Boultbee quit the caucus a month later, and called on Rustad to resign.

“He has invited me to ‘get the F out’ if I don’t like it, and I’ve taken him up on that offer,” Boultbee said. 

MLA Hon Chan was removed from caucus in March, after he was charged with assault, assault by choking and uttering threats.

B.C. Conservative MLAs and the unsuccessful candidates got on the stage for a group photo. 

Findlay was asked if she can unite the B.C. Conservative caucus and grassroots party members.  

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