Two B.C. MLAs leave Conservatives to form new party

Two British Columbia MLAs who recently left the provincial Conservative caucus announced Monday they are forming a new political party, aiming to provide an option for voters dissatisfied with both the governing New Democrats and the Conservatives under their new leader, KerryLynne Findlay. Ian Paton, the MLA for Delta South, confirmed his departure from the Conservative caucus on Monday, August 24, 2026, to sit as an Independent. He joins Peter Milobar, the MLA for Kamloops Centre, who left the caucus earlier in August. The pair appeared together at the B.C. legislature to outline their plans.

Paton stated that the direction of the Conservative Party under Findlay, who was elected leader in May, no longer aligned with his beliefs. He cited concerns about the party's new focus on "faith, freedom and family," a shift he felt was moving it away from the centrist coalition he believed it could be. Paton also described internal friction, alleging that Findlay's communication staff attempted to block media contact with him regarding his agriculture critic portfolio and that she had offered him an advisory role to encourage him to step down so she could run in his riding. He said he...