CentreBC Warns of Deeper Polarization

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2026

VANCOUVER — CentreBC leader Karin Kirkpatrick today responded to the election of Kerry-Lynne Findlay as leader of the BC Conservative Party, warning that her victory signals a further shift away from the political centre at a time when British Columbia desperately needs practical, unifying leadership.

“The leadership race was ultimately a choice about the future direction of the Conservative movement in British Columbia,” said Kirkpatrick. “The members chose to go hard right. The question now is what that choice means for the province.”

“The people of this province are anxious,” continued Kirkpatrick. “They are paying too much to live here, and they feel like government has stopped working for them. We cannot afford to spend the next few years fighting culture wars while the housing crisis worsens, the toxic drug crisis continues to kill, healthcare struggles, and economic uncertainty grows. The path forward requires stability, collaboration, and trust. It requires bringing people together, not dividing them.”

Findlay’s record shows her values are very different from most British Columbians. When her husband, BC Conservative MLA Brent Chapman, published posts calling Palestinians “little inbred walking talking breathing time bombs” and writing that Canadians “cannot live with” Islam, Findlay refused to meet with the Muslim community and declined to publicly condemn the statements.

More recently, Findlay refused to denounce one of her endorsers, former BC Conservative MLA Tara Armstrong’s Nazi rhetoric in the legislature, and has said there is a path back to the party for both Armstrong and OneBC founder Dallas Brodie, who is facing a recall campaign.

When it comes to Indigenous relations, Findlay has stated she does not believe the residential school system constituted genocide, contradicting the unanimous Parliamentary vote she was part of as the Federal Conservative Party’s Chief Whip in 2022.

Kirkpatrick observed:

“In one of the most troubling moments of the campaign, Ms. Findlay questioned Peter Milobar’s objectivity on Indigenous issues because his wife is Indigenous. Suggesting that the race of one’s family somehow disqualifies them from participating in public debate is repugnant and has no place in BC politics.”

With the leadership race over, it is unclear how Findlay can lead a united caucus that includes Milobar, a sitting MLA and the Finance Critic, or House Leader Á’a:líya Warbus, a member of the Sto:lo Nation.

“I take no pleasure in saying this,” Kirkpatrick added. “Kerry-Lynne Findlay has a long career in public service, but leadership is ultimately about judgment. Findlay is not a fresh start. She is doubling down on the ideas and rhetoric that are dividing the BC Conservatives — and the rest of the province. She focuses on grievances, not solutions.”

Kirkpatrick said CentreBC believes British Columbia’s future lies neither in ideological activism nor political polarization, but in competent, practical, transparent leadership capable of building consensus across regions, industries, Indigenous communities, and political traditions.

“A thriving future for everyone in BC is possible,” said Kirkpatrick. “But it can only happen by building a province that is not just strong, but good. Not just prosperous, but fair. Not just for ‘pure’ conservatives, but for all British Columbians, all of the time. That is the work CentreBC was built to do and after today, that case is stronger than ever.”

–30–

About CentreBC
Founded in 2025, CentreBC is a pragmatic, moderate movement dedicated to putting people first and getting politics back on track. We provide a balanced approach to government, focusing on the urgent priorities of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Our “Smart Province” vision integrates world-class public services with a thriving private sector and responsible resource development. We believe in informed leadership, evidence-led solutions, and meaningful collaboration to build a prosperous future for all British Columbians.

Join the movement at centrebc.com

Media Contact
Michael Davies
604 704 7526