B.C. Conservative leader calls latest MLA exit ‘a betrayal’
After MLA Teresa Wat announced her departure from the party, B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay slammed the decision.
“It is unfortunate that MLA Teresa Wat has decided to take this extraordinary measure,” the leader of the B.C. Conservatives posted on X.
“It is a betrayal of the hardworking volunteers, campaign workers and voters who helped get her elected as a CPBC MLA in the 2024 election.”
It is unfortunate that MLA Teresa Wat has decided to take this extraordinary measure. It is a betrayal of the hardworking volunteers, campaign workers and voters who helped get her elected as a CPBC MLA in the 2024 election.
On July 29, I reached MLA Wat in Taipei and had a… https://t.co/FlOT3i5op1
— Kerry-Lynne Findlay (@KerryLynneFindl) August 26, 2026
Wat is the fourth MLA to have left the B.C. Conservative caucus and sit as an Independent in recent weeks, with various concerns cited about Findlay’s direction for the party.
MLA Ian Paton left the caucus on Monday, announcing that he and Peter Milobar (another former B.C. Conservative MLA) plan to start a new party.
Findlay’s tone has notably escalated over the past couple of days. In response to Paton’s decision to leave, she said she was “disappointed” by Paton’s decision, but thanked him for his contributions to their caucus.
Why did Wat leave?
In a post on X, Wat said she left the B.C. Conservatives due to Findlay not apologizing for making “serious and unfounded accusations” about her during the party’s leadership campaign, including questioning Wat’s allegiance to Canada.
“These remarks were distasteful, hurtful and made me question my place in the BC Conservatives under her leadership,” Wat said.
I’ve made the decision today that I can no longer serve as a member of the BC Conservative Caucus under the leadership of Kerry-Lynne Findlay and I will sit as an Independent Member of the Legislative Assembly.
On July 29, it was reported in the media that during the BC… pic.twitter.com/0nGploLCGI
— Teresa Wat (@Teresa_Wat) August 26, 2026
Wat said she initially tried to put the matter behind her and move on, but later realized that the allegations “had caused real damage to my reputation and had created serious concern within the community.”
“Following an exchange with Ms. Findlay and her Chief of Staff earlier this week, I was told an apology and clarification would be issued. To date, no statement has been issued.”
Findlay disputed Wat’s telling of the events, saying that she reached out to Wat “and had a private conversation during which I apologized to her directly and we discussed how to move forward.”
“I was prepared to publicly address the matter in good faith. MLA Wat’s resignation post this morning was made without any prior communication to me,” Findlay said. “I am disappointed in MLA Wat’s actions after making repeated efforts to address her concerns directly and in good faith.”
Aside from the MLA departures, the B.C. Conservatives have also had a number of staff leaving the party recently. Just this morning, Findlay announced that she directed her Chief of Staff to fire the Director of Operations for the B.C. Conservative Caucus.
Findlay does not currently have a seat in the legislature, but MLA Reann Gasper stepped down over the weekend from her Abbotsford-Mission seat so that the party leader can try to win it through a by-election.