Former BC Tory Leader Rustad, Interim Leader Halford, and Another MLA Are out of Party Caucus, Findlay Says

Former B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad, former interim Leader Trevor Halford, and MLA Claire Rattée are out of the B.C. Conservative caucus, party Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay said on Sept. 18.

“There’s no room for internal power struggles or vanity projects. If your priority is building the movement, and supporting the Conservative Party of B.C., you are welcome,” Findlay said in a social media statement.

“With an election potentially on the horizon, our focus must be on British Columbians and defeating David Eby’s NDP government.”

The Epoch Times reached out to the three MLAs and the party for comment on the reasons for the departures, but did not hear back.

The departure of the three MLAs from the B.C. Conservatives brings the total to 12 who have left since Aug. 14. The others are Donegal Wilson, Scott McInnis, Á’a:líya Warbus, Bruce Banman, Teresa Wat, Brennan Day, Ian Paton, Rosalyn Bird, and Peter Milobar, who ran against Findlay in the leadership race. Several MLAs on Sept. 18 joined forces with CentreBC, including Milobar, who became leader of the party on Friday.

Rustad, who himself resigned his leadership in late 2025 amid a caucus revolt, said on social media that he will be commenting on the matter soon.

Halford, interim leader before Findlay was elected as leader by party members on May 30, said that he will “have more to say soon,” adding that he “proudly served as the interim-leader, when our party reached new heights and I proudly serve my constituents.”

Rattée, who earlier this week wrote a post criticizing Findlay’s leadership, said Findlay is “trying to further shrink our team by attempting to oust members of her own caucus,” adding that Findlay “does not have the authority to remove any member of our caucus.”

Rattée alleged that a “senior party official” hired a private investigator against some caucus members, and that she was one of the ones targeted.

“I was elected as a BC Conservative MLA and that’s not going to change. I’m not going anywhere. I will continue to fight for the people of Skeena and British Columbia,” she said.

Rattée confirmed that at least 10 Conservative MLAs had signed a letter asking Findlay to resign, and said she was among those who signed it. She urged Findlay to resign immediately before an election is called by Premier Eby.

While speaking at the Union of B.C. Municipalities’ convention on Sept. 17, Findlay said she would remain party leader amid the departure of MLAs from caucus and criticism of her leadership.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Findlay stated.

“Twenty-seven thousand party members voted for me as a leader who will collaborate with anyone, from any background or political alliances … who share our common-sense vision for change.”

Anna Kindy, the Conservative MLA for North Island, commented in support of Findlay, calling her a “natural leader.”

“It’s not about pandering to egos. I personally have no time for egos, drama or people who are self-centred,” Kindy said on Sept. 17. “Like [Findlay], we need to put British Columbians first.”

Milobar’s Group Merges With CentreBC

Milobar, who along with other former B.C. Conservative MLAs had announced the creation of a new party, said on Sept. 18 that his group is merging with CentreBC, led by former B.C. United MLA and former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Mike Bernier.

Milobar will be taking over as leader of CentreBC. The party will have eight seats in the legislature, becoming the third largest after the B.C. Conservatives.

“We are going to be hyper-focused on health care and bringing that innovation and creative solutions into that sector,” Milobar said.

“We’re going to be hyper focused around crime and safety on our streets to make sure people actually feel safe again.”

Eby hasn’t yet said if he’ll be calling an election, but said on Sept. 16 that he has told his caucus and Elections BC to be “election ready.”