B.C. Conservative leader Findlay says she’s ‘not going anywhere’ as election looms

“I had no knowledge of it, I was unaware of it,” she said of claims about a private investigator. “I can’t really respond. They are just allegations. The party is looking into it.”

Findlay’s vow to stay on Thursday during a speech to municipal leaders came after a series of defections that have depleted the Opposition ranks.

Nine have quit the caucus since Findlay took over in May, with defectors complaining about her leadership, the party’s direction, and an ideological push that one of them said was a “hard right.”

She told the audience at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention in Vancouver that those who have quit the caucus are welcome to have a conversation about coming back, but “it has to happen now,” because Eby could call an election “as early as tomorrow.”

“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,” she said.

Findlay’s speech before about 100 political leaders drew sparse applause, except from some of her caucus members sitting in the front row.

She called the prospect of a snap election being called by Eby a “cynical move,” during the speech.

“So, the premier will impose on British Columbians a costly election two years early, trample on the byelection he just called, and he knows I was about to win,” she said.

Findlay is campaigning in the Abbotsford-Mission byelection, scheduled for Sept. 26, in a bid to gain a seat in the B.C. legislature.

She addressed reporters after the speech, saying the Conservatives were a “young party” that was still feeling “growing pains.”

She said her team was excited about “probably heading into a provincial election very soon.”

Findlay, who was flanked by about a dozen legislators from her 28-member caucus, said after her speech that she was open to talking to anyone who wants to rejoin the party, and she had been speaking to a number of former caucus members.

She said she didn’t think it was her leadership style that forced the members of her caucus to quit, but she took responsibility for the defections.

“There have been adjustments, there have been changes, and what is really more important is, do we have a working, fighting team that’s cohesive? And here we are. I’m proud of them all, and we are moving forward together.”

Eby said Wednesday that he told NDP legislators that they need to be “election ready,” amid disruption posed by the trade war with the United States.

He did not offer any details about its timing.

The Conservatives responded Thursday by launching an “emergency” fundraising drive.

The party sent out an email launching the effort, saying it wanted funds in the next 48 hours to roll out digital and print advertisements, to distribute voter messaging and to mobilize volunteers.

The Conservative fundraising pitch said “the signs are undeniable” that Eby was preparing to call a snap election and was “racing to catch us unprepared.”

A provincial vote could overlap with next month’s municipal elections, sparking a sharp rebuke from the association representing municipalities.

Cori Ramsay, president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, said in a statement that it was incumbent on provincial leaders to uphold the principle of separate periods for local and provincial elections to avoid distractions for voters.

“At a time when B.C. is facing considerable economic and social uncertainty, overlapping elections would be a disservice to our citizens,” she said. “One hopes that provincial parties would temper election rhetoric as local campaigns are set to begin, but the spiral of speculation continues.”

The formal campaign period for municipal elections starts Sept. 19 with a general vote on Oct. 17.

Findlay’s speech itself dealt with a range of issues, including the flagging forest industry.

She said the NDP government was squeezing forestry out of existence with red tape.

“For those of you here who represent communities with deep roots in forestry. I want you to know that BC Conservatives will never give up on it,” said Findlay.

“There’s no reason to write off this heritage industry.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2026.

Nono Shen and Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

B.C. Conservative leader Findlay says she’s ‘not going anywhere’ as election looms

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