Teresa Wat quits B.C. Conservatives, citing leader Findlay's unfounded accusations
The MLA becomes the third B.C. Conservative to exit the official opposition in as many days, citing Findlay's failure to apologize for remarks questioning her loyalty to Canada.
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Teresa Wat has quit the B.C. Conservatives and will sit as an Independent, saying she can no longer serve under leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay after the leader failed to apologize for remarks questioning her loyalty to Canada.
Wat is the third MLA to exit the official opposition in as many days. Rosalyn Bird left Tuesday, following Ian Paton, while Peter Milobar departed earlier this month.
Wat's departure centers on widely reported remarks attributed to Findlay that called Wat "CCP" — a reference to the Chinese Communist Party. The remarks have drawn scrutiny for questioning an elected official's allegiance based on her name and heritage.
According to Wat's statement, Findlay told her this week an apology would be issued. No apology has materialized. "I cannot be led by someone who has questioned my loyalty," Wat said, citing the remarks as "serious and unfounded accusations" that were "distasteful and hurtful."
The departures reflect deepening fractures within the official opposition at a moment when the Conservatives hold significant seats in the legislature. With three MLAs leaving in rapid succession, questions linger about whether additional caucus members share similar concerns about Findlay's leadership.
What is Kerry-Lynne Findlay's response to Wat's departure and the broader exodus from caucus?
Are additional B.C. Conservative MLAs considering leaving the party?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
How many B.C. Conservatives have left the party this week?
Three MLAs have departed the B.C. Conservatives within as many days: Rosalyn Bird left on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Ian Paton left before her, and Teresa Wat quit on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Peter Milobar also left earlier in August.
Why did Teresa Wat quit the B.C. Conservatives?
Teresa Wat left the party because leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay made remarks calling her 'CCP' (Chinese Communist Party), questioning her loyalty to Canada based on her name and heritage. After Findlay failed to apologize despite promising to do so, Wat said she could not be led by someone who had questioned her allegiance.
