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VANCOUVER — Kerry-Lynne Findlay is vowing to stay on as the British Columbia Conservative leader, saying she is “not going anywhere” after a series of defections that have depleted the Opposition ranks.
She told an audience at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention in Vancouver on Thursday that those who have quit the caucus are welcome to have a conversation about coming back, but “it has to happen now,” because Premier David Eby could call an election “as early as tomorrow.”
“Twenty-seven thousand party members voted for me as a leader who will collaborate with anyone, from any background or political alliances … who share our common-sense vision for change,” she said.
She called the prospect of a snap election by David Eby “cynical move.”
“So, the premier will impose on British Columbians a costly election two years early, trample on the byelection he just called, and he knows I was about to win,” she said.
Findlay is campaigning in the Abbotsford-Mission byelection, scheduled for Sept. 26, in a bid to gain a seat in the B.C. legislature.
Nine legislators have quit the caucus since Findlay won the job in May, with defectors complaining about her leadership, the party’s direction, and an ideological push that one of them said was a “hard right.”
Findlay addressed reporters after the speech, saying the Conservatives are a “young party” that is still feeling “growing pains.”
She said her team was excited about “probably heading into a provincial election very soon.”
Findlay, who was flanked by about a dozen legislators from her 28-member caucus, said she was open to talking to anyone who wants to rejoin the party, and she has been speaking to a number of former caucus members.
She said she didn’t think it was her leadership style that forced the members of her caucus to quit, but she took responsibility for the defections.
“There have been adjustments, there have been changes, and what is really more important is, do we have a working, fighting team that’s cohesive? And here we are. I’m proud of them all, and we are moving forward together.”
Eby said Wednesday that he told legislators that they need to be “election ready,” amid disruption posed by the trade war with the United States.
The premier said both Elections BC and the NDP caucus had been warned to be prepared for an election, although he did not offer any details about its timing.
The Conservatives responded Thursday by launching an “emergency” fundraising drive.
The party sent out an email launching the effort, saying it wanted funds in the next 48 hours to roll out digital and print advertisements, to distribute voter messaging and to mobilize volunteers.
The Conservative fundraising pitch said “the signs are undeniable” that Eby is preparing to call a snap election and is “racing to catch us unprepared.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2026.
Nono Shen, The Canadian Press
