BC Conservative party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay to seek Abbotsford-Mission seat after MLA resigns
Conservative Party of BC MLA Reann Gasper is stepping down from her Abbotsford-Mission riding seat, clearing the way for party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay to attempt to enter the B.C. legislature through a by-election.
The party announced Saturday that Gasper had informed the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of her decision to resign. Gasper, who also serves as the party’s deputy whip, said she made the decision after careful consideration.
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“It has been a privilege to represent the people of Abbotsford-Mission, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me,” said Gasper.
“I am also grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside my colleagues in the Conservative Caucus and to contribute to our leadership team.”
Her departure will create a vacancy in the Fraser Valley riding and trigger a provincial by-election.
“I have confidence in Kerry-Lynne, in her leadership, and in her ability to represent Abbotsford-Mission. I believe that giving our Leader the opportunity to seek this seat strengthens our team and puts us in a stronger position for the work ahead,” continued Gasper.
She added that the party’s broader objective is to defeat Premier David Eby’s governing BC NDP and form government.
“I am grateful for the confidence Reann has placed in me and honoured by the opportunity she is creating for me to seek the nomination in Abbotsford-Mission,” said Findlay.
“Our focus is clear. We need to earn the trust of the people of Abbotsford-Mission, strengthen our team, and build the momentum we need to defeat the NDP and form a strong, common-sense government for British Columbia.”
Gasper was first elected into office in the October 2024 provincial general election, winning the Abbotsford-Mission seat with 13,523 votes — ahead of the 10,894 votes of the BC NDP’s Pam Alexis.
Findlay has been leading the BC Conservatives without a seat in the legislature since late May 2026, when the party’s membership selected her as their leader.
Under B.C. law, a provincial by-election must be called within six months of Elections BC receiving official notice of the vacancy from the Speaker. Once the election is called, voting day is held 28 days later.
Findlay currently lives in South Surrey with her husband, Brent Chapman, who is the BC Conservative MLA for the riding of South Surrey.
Kerry-Lynne Findlay. (Kerry-Lynne Findlay)
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