Kerry-Lynne Findlay Voted New Leader of the BC Conservative Party

Findlay Claims BC Conservative Leadership in Tight Race

Kerry-Lynne Findlay has been elected leader of the BC Conservative Party after securing 4,696.51 points, or 51 per cent of the vote, in a contest that stretched across four rounds of preferential voting. Caroline Elliott finished second with 49 per cent. More than 25,000 party members cast ballots, with each of British Columbia's 93 electoral districts allocated 100 points.

Five Candidates Contested the Leadership

The field included Iain Black, Caroline Elliott, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Yuri Fulmer and Peter Milobar. The race required multiple rounds of counting before Findlay emerged with the narrowest of margins over Elliott.

Findlay Outlines Priorities in Victory Speech

In her victory address, Findlay stated she wants "the generations now and to come to feel they can have a comfortable and happy life as British Columbians." She added, "I'm fighting for nothing less than the future of British Columbia." Findlay previously served as federal Minister of National Revenue, where she oversaw lower taxes, red tape cuts and a return to surplus.

NDP and Rivals React to Result

The BC NDP issued a statement declaring, "The pro-Trump wing of the B.C. Conservatives has seized control of the party." Jennifer Whiteside, MLA for New Westminster-Coquitlam, said, "Kerry-Lynne Findlay and her supporters in caucus have more in common with Donald Trump's Republicans than they do with Canadian Conservatives."

During the campaign, Findlay's team attacked Peter Milobar over a claimed conflict of interest related to DRIPA because his wife and children are Indigenous. Milobar described the attack as "the worst side of politics possible" and warned that Findlay's victory would "give a lot of British Columbians pause for thought."

Premier and Observers Weigh In

Premier David Eby posted on social media: "British Columbians are served by thoughtful debate, principled leadership, and a commitment to public service. I will work with anyone who is interested in putting people first."

UBC political scientist Stewart Prest observed that the race was "shaped very much about articulating opposition to the direction of the NDP, but also opposition between one another." Interim leader Trevor Halford told supporters, "Not too long ago, our opponents were writing us off. They said there was no path forward... this party is just getting started."

Implications for Next Provincial Election

John Rustad had led the party from obscurity to within 30,000 votes of victory in the 2024 election before his expulsion in December 2025. Findlay's win positions the BC Conservatives to continue challenging the NDP on issues such as taxes and government spending ahead of the next vote. The result sharpens the party's role as the main centre-right alternative in British Columbia's legislature and signals how opposition dynamics may unfold in the coming years.