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Chilliwack-Cultus Lake Conservative MLA A’aliya Warbus laughs while speaking at a campaign office in Chilliwack B.C., in October, 2024.ETHAN CAIRNS/The Canadian Press
B.C. Conservative MLA A’a:liya Warbus has announced she is leaving the party’s legislative caucus, joining an exodus under new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
Warbus says in a statement she will sit as an Independent, citing her loss of confidence in the party under Findlay.
She is the seventh Conservative MLA to quit the party this month, including five last week.
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Warbus, who was one of the most prominent figures in the party as an Indigenous MLA and former House leader, also cites the cancellation of a caucus meeting she says had been called for Monday in light of the “implosion” of events last week.
She says the cancellation reflects a “lack of value” being placed in caucus members’ opinions.
The Chilliwack-Cultus Lake MLA also says she was concerned about the circumstances surrounding the resignation from the legislature of Reann Gasper to make way for Findlay to stand in a byelection.