Another former B.C. Conservative legislator has joined the province’s newest political party, led by fellow Conservative defector Peter Milobar. Teresa Wat, the Richmond-Bridgeport MLA who quit the Conservatives last month after a falling-out with party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, announced Friday that she would join the fledgling, yet-to-be-named party. “British Columbians want a strong, credible alternative to the NDP that is focused on affordability and competent government,” Wat said in a statement. “After careful consideration, I have decided to join Peter and the growing team of sitting MLAs to help build this new party.” Milobar, the MLA for Kamloops Centre, and Delta South MLA Ian Paton launched the new party in August after quitting Findlay’s Conservatives. The party has since enticed fellow ex-Conservatives Rosalyn Bird, Bruce Banman and Áʼa꞉líya Warbus to join. Wat’s addition brings the new party’s caucus to six MLAs, making it the third-largest group in the B.C. legislature. Milobar is serving as interim leader until a caucus vote in October. Milobar welcomed Wat to the caucus in a statement Friday, saying she will bring “an extraordinary amount of experience” to the party. “Our team is growing because there is a clear appetite for a serious alternative to the NDP,” Milobar said. “British Columbians are tired of out-of-control spending and a government who is responsible for the decline of so many sectors in our province.” Wat left the B.C. Conservatives after accusing Findlay of making “distasteful, hurtful” allegations that called her “allegiance to Canada into question,” she said in an Aug. 26 statement. The Conservative leader called Wat’s departure “a betrayal” of the volunteers and campaign workers who helped elect her. Nine MLAs have quit the B.C. Conservatives since Findlay assumed the party leadership in May. The Conservative caucus and the party’s executive staff have been in turmoil under Findlay’s leadership, with many defectors blaming Findlay directly for their departures. The party came to the brink of power in the 2024 provincial election after winning 44 seats under former leader John Rustad. The party now retains 28 seats in the legislature.
