Three B.C. Conservative MLAs—including two former leaders—have been expelled from caucus, as several defectors join the fledgling CentreBC party. The legislature clerks’ office told CTV News it was notified Friday that Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad, Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford and Skeena MLA Claire Rattée were no longer affiliated with the Conservatives. Meanwhile, Rattée issued a defiant statement arguing embattled leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay “does not have the authority” to kick anyone out. “I was elected as a B.C. Conservative MLA and that’s not going to change. I’m not going anywhere. I will continue to fight for the people of Skeena and British Columbia,” Rattée added. The expulsions follow an exodus over the summer of nine MLAs, all of whom expressed concerns about Findlay’s leadership. Peter Milobar, the first of those defectors, was announced Friday afternoon as the new leader of CentreBC, a party that formed last year with no seats, billed as a moderate alternative to the Conservatives. A total of eight MLAs announced they are joining, including Elenore Sturko, making CentreBC the third-largest party in the legislature. Possible election coming The latest Conservative contraction comes amid growing speculation B.C. Premier David Eby intends to call a snap election. Rattée described the expulsion of members in that context “yet another example” of Findlay “demonstrating poor judgement that doesn’t befit someone who is attempting to become premier.” Findlay faced calls to resign at an emergency caucus meeting this week, during which allegations also emerged that a private investigator had been hired to snoop on B.C. Conservative critics. Findlay has said she was “unaware” of any such hiring. Rattée, who identified herself as one of the targets, said at least 10 members of caucus have now signed a letter calling for Findlay to step down as well. “Kerry Lynne Findlay must do the right thing and resign—immediately and prior to a snap election,” she said, in her statement. “B.C. Conservative MLAs will not accept her continuing to divide our team when we need to unite and form a government and help the people of British Columbia.” Rustad, who led the party within a hair’s breadth of victory in the 2024 provincial election, told CTV News that Findlay removed him from caucus Thursday night, then called him shortly after to reinstate him. Rustad said he learned he’d been removed once again Friday. Halford, who was interim leader prior to Findlay, has not publicly addressed his departure. Findlay issued a brief statement on the three departures, saying there is “no room for internal power struggles or vanity projects” with a potential election on the horizon. Private eye allegations Bruce Hallsor, lawyer for the B.C. Conservatives, told CTV News this week that the private investigator was hired by a former executive director from the party, and that there were more than two dozen people on the list of alleged targets, including journalist Rob Shaw. MLA Brennan Day, who left the Conservatives during the recent MLA exodus, said he was targeted as well, and that the revelation reinforced his decision to leave. “It is impossible to point your guns outward at the government when you’re too busy pointing them inward at your own caucus,” Day said Thursday. Angelou Isidorou, a different former Conservative executive director, said both he and his company, Fountainhead Communications, were subject to the snooping as well. Municipal leaders push back At the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver on Friday, the premier said he hadn’t yet decided whether to send voters back to the polls. “I don’t have any announcement about an election today,” Eby told reporters at the event. Local leaders have urged Eby to hold off, arguing the provincial campaign could overshadow the municipal election being held on Oct. 17, and take attention away from local issues they are hoping to address. Attendees passed an emergency vote on the last day of the convention asking the government to wait. Eby said he would take the wishes of local officials “under advisement.” The Conservatives won 44 seats to the B.C. NDP’s 47 in the last B.C. election, but ousters and defections have now left the party with 25. Findlay, who was not in office when she won the Conservative leadership contest early this year, is currently gearing up to seek a seat in the legislature in a byelection in the Abbotsford-Mission riding on Sept. 26. She’ll face candidates from the NDP, CentreBC, Green and Libertarian parties. With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Rob Buffam and The Canadian Press
