B.C. Conservative caucus loses eighth member as Findlay leadership unravels

B.C. Conservative caucus member Donegal Wilson announced Wednesday he is leaving the party, becoming the eighth MLA to depart under leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.

Wilson, the Boundary-Similkameen MLA, cited three reasons for his departure: a breakdown in communication between Findlay and her caucus, allegations of wrongdoing by senior staff including Findlay's former director of operations Apollo Chung, and Findlay's conduct during the last federal election campaign.

"I never imagined things could go this wrong, this quickly," Wilson said in a statement Wednesday. "Seven of my colleagues have already left caucus. Communication between the leader and her caucus has broken down, and I have watched colleagues I respect be treated in ways that deeply concern me."

The departures signal a broader crisis in the party. As HighOnCity reported in September, the B.C. Conservatives have lost one-third of the elected MLAs they won in the 2024 provincial election. Wilson joins Peter Milobar, Ian Paton, Teresa Wat, Rosalyn Bird, Bruce Banman, Brennan Day, and Áʼa:líya Warbus in leaving caucus under Findlay's leadership.

Wilson said an upcoming byelection in Abbotsford-Mission also factored into his decision. Remaining in the caucus would mean "raising money, knocking on doors and asking British Columbians to put their confidence in Kerry-Lynne Findlay," he said — something he could no longer do.

Findlay cancelled a planned caucus meeting Monday, but members met anyway. Wilson's departure leaves Findlay increasingly isolated within her own elected delegation.