Former MP Findlay joins B.C. Conservative race amid donation row

VICTORIA — Former federal MP and minister Kerry-Lynne Findlay has joined the race to lead the Conservative Party of B.C., immediately joining the fray over who is conservative enough for the job.

Findlay, who is married to Conservative MLA Brent Chapman, said in a statement she is running because she doesn’t want former B.C. Liberals to take over the party, saying they are pursuing a “hidden liberal agenda” and are “no different than” the NDP.

“The NDP raises taxes and pushes radical ideology,” her statement said. “BC Liberal insiders are trying to take over the Conservative Party of BC. The Liberals want to steal the Conservative name … and push the same hidden liberal agenda.”

The launch of Findlay’s campaign on Thursday comes after she shared a social media post faulting leadership rival Caroline Elliott for donating to BC United, formerly known as the B.C. Liberals.

But records from Elections BC show that both Findlay and a third leadership candidate, Yuri Fulmer, who wrote the original post, also repeatedly donated to the former B.C. Liberals.

Elliott said on social media she will “be constructive and work respectfully” with her fellow leadership contestants instead of getting personal.

Findlay, whose campaign promises that she will keep the party “truly conservative,” is the eighth candidate to join the race to replace former Conservative leader John Rustad, who resigned last month.

She attacks the B.C. Liberals in a campaign video for having “voted to condemn and smear” the “Freedom Convoy,” referring to a 2023 motion in the B.C. legislature that denounced the protest movement.

The B.C. NDP said Findlay was “campaigning on her support for the illegal anti-vaccine ‘freedom’ convoy that peddled conspiracy theories, condoned hate, and cost the Canadian economy billions.”

Findlay joins the race after having served in the House of Commons between 2011 and 2025, representing the ridings of Delta-Richmond-East once and South Surrey-White Rock twice, before losing to federal Liberal Ernie Klassen in April 2025.

Findlay’s highest cabinet role under former prime minister Stephen Harper was minister of national revenue from July 2013 to November 2015, after having served as associate minister of national defence for five months in 2013, and parliamentary secretary to the minister of justice from May 2011 to February 2013.

She has also held multiple roles with the Canadian Bar Association, and a long list of board positions for charitable and community organizations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 30, 2026.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press