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B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay says her party is prepared to fight if Premier David Eby calls a snap election.ETHAN CAIRNS/The Canadian Press
B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay is vowing to lead her fractured party into a potential snap election amid mounting speculation that Premier David Eby could soon send British Columbians to the polls.
Addressing the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Vancouver on Thursday, Ms. Findlay sought to refocus attention away from weeks of party turmoil and back on what she called the basics of government, including issues of public safety, health care and economic growth.
She also directly addressed questions about her political future.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Ms. Findlay said.
Nine MLAs have left the Conservative caucus since Aug. 14.
The Conservative Leader said anyone who left her party is welcome to have a conversation about returning, but that it has to happen now.
“In what can only be described as a cynical move, these halls have been full of talk about an election call as early as tomorrow,” Ms. Findlay said.
“So the Premier will impose on British Columbians a costly election two years early, trample on the by-election he just called and he knows I was about to win. That’s okay. We’re ready.”
Speculation about an early election has intensified after weeks of upheaval within the B.C. Conservative Party. Mr. Eby, whose approval had fallen in part over concerns about the province’s finances, has since seen his political standing improve.
An Angus Reid Institute poll released Wednesday put his approval at 41 per cent, up from 31 per cent in June, suggesting the Premier’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump and the escalating trade war may be working to his benefit.
On Wednesday, Mr. Eby confirmed that his party has lined up a campaign manager and he has instructed his staff to be election ready.