Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned as leader of the B.C. Conservative Party effective immediately, announcing the decision in a social media statement Sunday and saying "This was not an easy decision, but I believe it is the right one for our movement and our province." Her roughly four-month tenure was marked by an internal revolt and mass departures from caucus: MLA Linda Hepner left hours before the resignation, 10 MLAs quit since mid-August and 14 MLAs in total have left the party caucus since Findlay became leader. Eight former MLAs joined the new CentreBC group, and Findlay in recent days fired three MLAs including former leader John Rustad, Claire Rattée and Trevor Halford; Rustad said he was fired via a late-night text that was briefly rescinded and then repeated. Findlay blamed internal conflict that had consumed the party and said she had faced attacks on her character and threats that affected her family, but she will remain the Conservative candidate in the Abbotsford-Mission byelection set for Sept. 26. Her resignation comes amid speculation Premier David Eby may call a snap provincial election that would overlap municipal elections scheduled for Oct. 17.
