B.C. Conservative leader Findlay doesn't deny calling MLA Teresa Wat 'CCP'
A May message from Findlay's personal phone alleged Wat is associated with the Chinese Communist Party. Findlay has not disputed the message but declined to elaborate.
Sources · local media reports
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B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay did not dispute that a May group-chat message appeared to show her alleging that Richmond-Bridgeport MLA Teresa Wat is associated with the Chinese Communist Party.
The message, posted by the anonymous Findlay Files account on X on Wednesday and dated May 6, reads: "Remember that WeChat is China Govt controlled and Teresa Watt MLA is CCP & sold many memberships to CCP Chinese in Richmond. The Chinese community that supports us knows this."
A source told Postmedia that the message was sent in a group chat associated with Findlay's leadership campaign, and a screen recording confirmed the message came from Findlay's personal cellphone number. Postmedia independently verified the phone number as belonging to Findlay.
Wat had supported Findlay's opponent, Iain Black, in the leadership race.
In a statement posted Wednesday evening, Findlay said she had spoken to Wat and valued her contributions to the party. She did not directly address the CCP allegation, instead stating that "as the party continues to gain momentum, increased scrutiny and political attacks are inevitable."
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West called on Findlay to provide proof or apologize. "If Kerry-Lynne Findlay has evidence to support what she has alleged, I urge her to immediately provide it to the RCMP and remove MLA Teresa Wat from caucus. If she doesn't, she should apologize to MLA Wat," he said.
Findlay's chief of staff, Chris Delaney, declined to comment, saying the party does not comment on "spurious and unsupported rumours." The controversy comes as the B.C. Conservative executive director Angelo Isidorou announced his resignation.
What specific evidence does Findlay have for the CCP allegation, and will she provide it to authorities?
What consequences, if any, will Findlay face within her party or from voters for the message?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
What did Kerry-Lynne Findlay's May message say about Teresa Wat?
On May 6, 2026, Findlay's message stated that Teresa Wat, the Richmond-Bridgeport MLA, is associated with the Chinese Communist Party and had sold many memberships to CCP Chinese in Richmond.
Did Findlay dispute the message?
No. Findlay did not dispute that the May 6, 2026 message came from her personal cellphone, though she did not directly address the CCP allegation in her statement.
