Kerry-Lynne Findlay elected leader of BC Conservative Party

The British Columbia Conservative Party chose former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay as its new leader on May 30. Five candidates competed in a preferential‑ballot vote held at a Vancouver event attended by more than 1,000 supporters. Findlay secured 51% of the redistributed votes, narrowly defeating Caroline Elliott, who received 49%.

Kootenay‑Rockies MLA Pete Davis, who attended the tally, praised Findlay’s experience and said she would be a strong leader against the NDP. Davis also noted his disappointment that his Indigenous wife was drawn into campaign controversy surrounding the province’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. As party leader, Findlay must win a seat in one of the province’s 93 ridings; her husband, Bruce Chapman, currently serves as MLA for Surrey South.