Former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay wins B.C. Conservative race

VANCOUVER — Former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay has won the race to replace former British Columbia Conservative leader John Rustad on the fourth ballot, beating commentator Caroline Elliott.

Findlay won with 51 per cent of the vote, just ahead of Elliott, who finished with 49 per cent. Three other candidates, starting with sitting MLA Peter Milobar, then entrepreneur Yuri Fulmer, and finally former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Iain Black, were all eliminated in the three earlier rounds as the last-place finisher was cut from contention.

An estimated crowd of just over 1,400 party members, MLAs, and invited guests followed the tabulation of the electronic ballots, and parts of the crowd broke into “KLF, KLF” chants after the final vote was announced.

Standing in front of a large British Columbia flag and joined by her family, Findlay promised to restore what she called “common sense” in British Columbia.

“So, what am I fighting for?” she said. “I’m fighting for nothing less than the future of British Columbia, our way of life. Mine is a grand vision of fundamental change. Our homes, our individual rights, our properties are at stake. We need hope and prosperity.”

Findlay promised she would bring her experience as former federal revenue minister, among other portfolios, to help turn B.C.’s provincial economy around by cutting taxes and red tape, improving provincial infrastructure and unleashing B.C.’s natural resource sector.

“We can be a powerhouse in our nation, a powerhouse no longer denied by Eastern and global elites, predatory foreign nations and our own constitution,” she said. “(B.C. NDP) radical ideology has devastated property rights, backroom side agreements, and the NDP’s economic vandalism has to end.”

Findlay promised to protect private property rights, improve public safety and prioritize parents and families.

She takes the helm of B.C.’s Official Opposition almost half a year after internal squabbling and defections chased Rustad out of office.

“With your help, we can turn that commitment into real change, to bring common sense across British Columbia,” she said. “Free people making free choices and free speech in a free enterprise market economy, where hard work is rewarded, and we are not crushed by socialist overreach that wants to dictate literally what we think, what we believe, what we can say and who we associate with,” Findlay said.

She later urged party faithful to prepare for the next campaign, adding that a future Conservative government would emphasize “faith, family, and freedom.”

Speaking to reporters later, Findlay said it will take a lot of work to unite the party and the province, but noted the party does not look as divided as it appears.

“There were five of us who wanted to see it through the end, and I think you will see some alliance there,” she said.

Findlay currently lacks a seat in the legislature, but her husband, Brent Chapman, is the MLA for Surrey South.

She said she will meet with the caucus on Sunday and plans to run as soon as possible.

“That is a matter for caucus discussion,” she said.

When asked whether she would ask her husband to step aside, Findlay said that it is a family discussion. “Brent is a cancer survivor … and he has been through a lot, and it would be a lot for me to ask him to do. But we will have that discussion.”

New Democrats reacted to Findlay’s leadership win with a news release claiming the pro-Trump wing of the B.C. Conservatives have seized control of the party.

“She is the most extreme and divisive leader of a major political party in B.C. history, and British Columbians won’t stand for it,” B.C.’s Minister of Labour Jennifer Whiteside said in the statement.

Findlay dismissed the attack. “Well, they are going to say what they say. I believe the NDP are the ideologues, they are the extremists.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2026.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press