Another BC Conservative MLA leaves caucus as party turmoil deepens

VICTORIA – The turmoil within the BC Conservative Party has deepened once again, with Chilliwack-Cultus Lake MLA Áʼa꞉líya Warbus announcing she is leaving the party caucus to sit as an Independent.

In a statement released Monday, Warbus cited what she described as a breakdown in communication, transparency and leadership under party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. She said she no longer believes she can effectively represent her constituents from within the caucus, pointing to concerns over staffing decisions, critic appointments and internal party operations that members often learned about through social media before being informed by leadership.

Warbus also referenced a caucus meeting that had been expected following a turbulent week that included the departure of six sitting MLAs, allegations involving the party’s Director of Operations, and public statements from former Conservative MLAs Dallas Brodie, Tara Armstrong, Jordan Kealy, Rosalyn Bird, David Williams and Brennan Day. The meeting was subsequently postponed for a month.

Her departure marks the seventh Conservative MLA to leave the caucus in roughly two weeks, raising fresh questions about the party’s stability at a critical time.