BC Conservative MLA Áʼa:líya Warbus resigns over Indigenous land framing
Warbus, the party's most prominent Indigenous voice, quit Monday citing discomfort with how leadership describes constitutional and land-claims issues.
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Áʼa:líya Warbus, the BC Conservatives' most prominent Indigenous voice in the legislature, resigned from the party Monday over how leadership describes Indigenous land title issues.
Warbus, elected in 2024 as MLA for the Chilliwack area and previously house leader under John Rustad, said she became increasingly uncomfortable with the party's approach under new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. She told The Tyee the party was using Indigenous land issues as a "wedge," conflating matters rooted in Canada's Constitution and unsettled land claims with matters of race.
Warbus is a member of the Stó:lō Nation whose father, Steven Point, served as lieutenant-governor. Before her 2024 election, she worked for an Indigenous governance organization in the Fraser Valley and spoke about wanting to affect provincial policy-making as an Indigenous woman, though observers noted she might be considered less conservative than others in her party.
A recent vacation prompted her to reflect on her legacy. "What legacy ultimately do I want to stand on?" she said. Seeing her daughter in a ceremonial dance also played a role in her decision. "There are certain ways to frame these things, and it takes out the division and the heat," Warbus said. "I don't want to be the one that's stoking the fires of those tensions."
Warbus is the latest departure from the BC Conservative caucus. As HighOnCity reported in late August, the party has fractured repeatedly since Findlay took over, with Teresa Wat quitting and citing the leader's unfounded accusations, and the party president exiting amid leadership tensions.
The facts
Why did Áʼa:líya Warbus resign from the BC Conservatives?
Warbus resigned on Monday, August 31, 2026, citing discomfort with how party leadership under Kerry-Lynne Findlay describes Indigenous land title and constitutional issues, saying the party was using these matters as a 'wedge' that conflated constitutional and land-claims issues with matters of race.
What is Áʼa:líya Warbus's background?
Warbus is a member of the Stó:lō Nation and daughter of Steven Point, who served as lieutenant-governor. She was elected in 2024 as MLA for the Chilliwack area and previously worked for an Indigenous governance organization in the Fraser Valley.
Who is the BC Conservative leader that prompted Warbus's resignation?
Kerry-Lynne Findlay is the BC Conservative leader whose approach to Indigenous land issues prompted Warbus to resign from the party.
