Topic

B.C. Conservative Party leadership and caucus divisions

active politics · 70 articles indexed · last activity 6 days ago

Coverage of leadership developments, internal divisions, and departures within the B.C. Conservative Party and related splinter parties, including members switching allegiances between parties and changes in party leadership.

Coverage Timeline

  1. Oct 26 Victory in Kamloops has Conservative MLAs switching to government side for first time ↗ CFJC Today details
  2. Oct 25 Conservative incumbents Milobar and Stamer re-elected in Kamloops ↗ KamloopsBCNow details
  3. Interim Conservative Leader Doerkson re-elected in Cariboo-Chilcotin ↗ CFJC Today details
  4. Oct 21 MLA CANDIDATE ISSUE #3 – Addressing challenges in the healthcare sector ↗ CFJC Today details
  5. Sep 23 BC Conservatives expected to run familiar slate in Kamloops-Thompson ridings ↗ CFJC Today details
  6. B.C. tourism to benefit as YVR-China flights set to surge 40% ↗ archived ↳ In this roundup: Lorne Doerkson, interim leader of the B.C. Conservatives representing Cariboo-Chilcotin, pledges to become more than interim premier if his party wins the October 24 election, despite party constitution rules prohibiting interim leaders from seeking permanent leadership. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  7. Sep 22 7 MLAs return to Conservatives after brief stint with CentreBC, Sturko stays behind as new leader ↗ KamloopsBCNow details
  8. Kamloops Centre MLA Milobar rejoins BC Conservatives ↗ CFJC Today details
  9. B.C. Conservatives regroup under interim leader Doerkson amid election speculation forbidden ↳ In this roundup: The British Columbia Conservative Party appointed Lorne Doerkson as interim leader following Kerry-Lynne Findlay's resignation, and has restored five expelled or resigned MLAs to caucus ahead of a potential snap election. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  10. Sep 21 RAW INTERVIEW: New interim leader of the BC Conservatives Lorne Doerkson ↗ CFJC Today details
  11. Sep 18 CentreBC gains 8 MLAs as Findlay boots 3, including Rustad, from Conservative caucus ↗ KamloopsBCNow details
  12. Kamloops MLA Milobar takes over as leader of CentreBC ↗ CFJC Today details
  13. 5 things you need to know this morning: Sept. 18, 2026 ↗ ↳ In this roundup: CTV News reports that Pierre Poilievre, leader of the opposition, took effort to avoid cameras and media questions as the Conservative caucus retreat concluded on Thursday in British Columbia. KamloopsBCNow roundup details
  14. Sep 16 Prawn fisher fined $5K for dropping traps near West Vancouver glass sponge reefs forbidden ↳ In this roundup: A new unnamed party led by Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar has attracted seven BC Conservative MLAs who have left the party since Kerry-Lynne Findlay was chosen as leader. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  15. BC Parks tightens day-use pass system after reports of reselling, bot activity forbidden ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar is leading a new, as-yet-unnamed party that has attracted seven Conservative MLAs who departed the BC Conservative caucus following Kerry-Lynne Findlay's election as leader. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  16. Secrecy and accountability 'can coexist': groups push for Tumbler Ridge gun details forbidden ↳ In this roundup: Seven BC Conservative MLAs, including Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar, have formed an unnamed new party that plans to sit as a caucus when the legislature resumes. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  17. Sep 15 Campbell River, B.C., area will be first to test new proposed forest management model forbidden ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar is leading a new unnamed party attracting seven Conservative defectors who plan to sit as a caucus when the BC Legislature resumes. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  18. Sep 5 Revelstoke teen was last seen Sept. 5, 1998 ↗ archived ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar's unnamed political party grew to five members after three more former B.C. Conservatives—Rosalyn Bird, Bruce Banman, and Áʼa꞉líya Warbus—joined him and Ian Paton, with Milobar serving as interim leader. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  19. Athletics Canada says missing mountaineer was climbing near Switzerland-Italy border ↗ archived ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar's unnamed political party has grown to five members after recruiting three former B.C. Conservative MLAs; Milobar will serve as interim leader until a permanent leader is elected before the legislature returns on Oct. 5. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  20. Woman injured after bear attack in park outside Whistler: B.C. conservation officers forbidden ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar's unnamed political party has grown to five members after three former B.C. Conservatives joined, with Milobar serving as interim leader until an October 5 leadership vote. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  21. 'Old-school' Nanaimo DJ gears up for national championships forbidden ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar's unnamed centrist political party has grown to five members after three former B.C. Conservative MLAs joined him and Delta South MLA Ian Paton, with plans to sit as official third-party status when the legislature reconvenes on Oct. 5. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  22. Missing hiker found alive in Squamish forbidden ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar's unnamed centrist political party has grown to five members after three additional former B.C. Conservative MLAs joined the party, which will hold official third-party status when the legislature reconvenes in October. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  23. Sep 4 ‘When you have polarization, compromise goes out the window’; Milobar takes aim at third-party status ↗ CFJC Today details
  24. Rob Shaw: Kahlon promises ‘reset’ on B.C. overdose prevention sites forbidden ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar's unnamed centrist political party has grown to five members after three additional former B.C. Conservative MLAs joined, positioning the party for official third-party status when the legislature reconvenes in October. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  25. Man arrested for arson over suspicious fires along B.C. highway ↗ archived ↳ In this roundup: Peter Milobar's unnamed centrist party announced its addition of three former B.C. Conservative MLAs (Rosalyn Bird, Bruce Banman, and Áʼa꞉líya Warbus), bringing the party to five seats total and eligible for official third-party status. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  26. 5 former Conservative MLAs have formed a new BC political party ↗ KamloopsBCNow details
  27. Third-party status incoming: Milobar and Paton welcome three MLAs to new provincial party ↗ CFJC Today details
  28. No time to waste for Milobar as ex-B. C. Conservatives join new party of five MLAs | iNFOnews.ca ↗ InfoNews Kamloops details
  29. Five former B.C. Conservative MLAs unite under still-unnamed political party forbidden ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar's unnamed centrist political party added three former B.C. Conservative MLAs, bringing its total to five members as nine Conservative MLAs have left the caucus in three weeks. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  30. Aug 31 Áʼa꞉líya Warbus becomes 7th MLA to leave BC Conservatives in August missing KamloopsBCNow details
  31. Voting to begin in federal byelections in Toronto, Vancouver and Chicoutimi ridings forbidden ↳ In this roundup: CentreBC announces Lakhwinder Jhaj as its candidate in the Sept. 26 Abbotsford-Mission byelection, joining Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay and former NDP agriculture minister Pam Alexis. Castanet Kamloops roundup details
  32. ROTHENBURGER – The man who wanted to be leader of the province ↗ Armchair Mayor details
  33. Aug 28 LETTER – Will Milobar set his sights on stepping up to the federal level? ↗ Armchair Mayor details
  34. Aug 26 EDITORIAL – Milobar could be the undoing of the BC Conservatives ↗ Armchair Mayor details
  35. Aug 24 Paton joins Milobar as independent MLA with plans to form a new party ↗ CFJC Today details
  36. Ian Paton leaves BC Conservatives, plans to form new party with Peter Milobar ↗ KamloopsBCNow details
  37. Two former B.C. Conservatives plan to form new party, steer clear of CentreBC ↗ CFJC Today details
  38. Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservative caucus, says he plans to form a new political party with Peter Milobar ↗ CBC News British Columbia details
  39. Aug 19 Peter Milobar says split with BC Conservatives came after months of growing disconnect ↗ KamloopsBCNow details
  40. Aug 14 ‘Not the first British Columbian that has had these feelings’; Milobar leaves Tory Caucus ↗ CFJC Today details
  41. RAW INTERVIEW: Peter Milobar speaks after leaving the BC Conservative Caucus ↗ CFJC Today details
  42. EDITORIAL – Is it really a surprise that Milobar has quit the Conservatives? ↗ Armchair Mayor details
  43. Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar quits BC Conservatives to sit as independent ↗ KamloopsBCNow details
  44. Kamloops MLA Peter Milobar leaves BC Conservative Party | iNFOnews.ca ↗ InfoNews Kamloops details
  45. UPDATE: Milobar speaks to Radio NL on decision to leave BC Conservatives to sit as independent ↗ Radio NL details
  46. Peter Milobar cites gap in 'ideological alignment' as he quits B.C. Conservatives | iNFOnews.ca ↗ InfoNews Kamloops details
  47. Peter Milobar cites gap in 'ideological alignment' as he quits B.C. Conservatives | iNFOnews.ca ↗ InfoNews Kamloops details
  48. Kamloops MLA Milobar resigns from BC Conservative caucus ↗ CFJC Today details
  49. Aug 7 Mike Bernier to lead new BC political party, CentreBC – Kamloops Chronicle ↗ Kamloops Chronicle details
  50. Jul 3 Kamloops MLAs pleased to retain critic roles in new B.C. Conservative shadow cabinet ↗ CFJC Today details
  51. Jun 30 B.C. Conservative leader Findlay retains former rival Milobar in shadow cabinet ↗ CFJC Today details
  52. Status quo shadow cabinet revealed by BC Conservatives forbidden Castanet Kamloops details
  53. Jun 10 BC Conservative leader Findlay appoints Barriere resident chief of staff ↗ CFJC Today details
  54. Jun 2 Findlay’s election creates opportunity for those in the middle ↗ CFJC Today details
  55. Jun 1 New leader doesn't mean former BC Conservative MLA Boultbee will return to party | iNFOnews.ca ↗ InfoNews Kamloops details
  56. Praise from Poilievre, but ex-B. C. Conservative MLAs say new leader will polarize | iNFOnews.ca ↗ InfoNews Kamloops details
  57. May 31 Despite contentious race Milobar confident in finding path forward with Findlay ↗ CFJC Today details
  58. Kerry-Lynne Findlay wins BC Conservative leadership race in narrow finish forbidden Castanet Kamloops details
  59. Milobar finishes 5th, Findlay elected BC Conservative leader ↗ CFJC Today details
  60. Findlay emerges as BC Conservative leader as Kamloops’ Milobar comes up well short ↗ Radio NL details
  61. May 30 Leadership vote to be announced for B.C. Conservative Party after Rustad ouster ↗ Global News Kamloops details
  62. Leadership vote to be announced for B.C. Conservative Party after Rustad ouster forbidden Castanet Kamloops details
  63. Leadership vote to be announced for B.C. Conservative Party after Rustad ouster ↗ CFJC Today details
  64. May 26 FORSETH – Who’s supporting who as leadership race down to the wire ↗ Armchair Mayor details
  65. May 23 Voting opens in B.C. Conservative leadership race, winner to be announced May 30 forbidden Castanet Kamloops details
  66. Voting opens in B.C. Conservative leadership race, winner to be announced May 30 ↗ CFJC Today details
  67. May 22 B.C. Conservative hopeful Findlay still in race after 'unproven and anonymous' claims forbidden Castanet Kamloops details
  68. May 20 Rob Shaw: Kerry-Lynne Findlay facing federal election probe forbidden Castanet Kamloops details
  69. Conservative Party of B.C. leadership race heats up as Milobar makes final bid for support ↗ CFJC Today details
  70. May 13 ROTHENBURGER – Milobar’s indigenous family ties should be a non-issue ↗ Armchair Mayor details

Linked Articles by Source

CFJC Today

KamloopsBCNow

Castanet Kamloops

  • B.C. tourism to benefit as YVR-China flights set to surge 40% ↗
    Sep 22, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: Lorne Doerkson, interim leader of the B.C. Conservatives representing Cariboo-Chilcotin, pledges to become more than interim premier if his party wins the October 24 election, despite party constitution rules prohibiting interim leaders from seeking permanent leadership.
    archived
  • B.C. Conservatives regroup under interim leader Doerkson amid election speculation
    Sep 22, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: The British Columbia Conservative Party appointed Lorne Doerkson as interim leader following Kerry-Lynne Findlay's resignation, and has restored five expelled or resigned MLAs to caucus ahead of a potential snap election.
    forbidden
  • Prawn fisher fined $5K for dropping traps near West Vancouver glass sponge reefs
    Sep 16, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: A new unnamed party led by Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar has attracted seven BC Conservative MLAs who have left the party since Kerry-Lynne Findlay was chosen as leader.
    forbidden
  • BC Parks tightens day-use pass system after reports of reselling, bot activity
    Sep 16, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar is leading a new, as-yet-unnamed party that has attracted seven Conservative MLAs who departed the BC Conservative caucus following Kerry-Lynne Findlay's election as leader.
    forbidden
  • Secrecy and accountability 'can coexist': groups push for Tumbler Ridge gun details
    Sep 16, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: Seven BC Conservative MLAs, including Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar, have formed an unnamed new party that plans to sit as a caucus when the legislature resumes.
    forbidden
  • Campbell River, B.C., area will be first to test new proposed forest management model
    Sep 15, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar is leading a new unnamed party attracting seven Conservative defectors who plan to sit as a caucus when the BC Legislature resumes.
    forbidden
  • Revelstoke teen was last seen Sept. 5, 1998 ↗
    Sep 5, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar's unnamed political party grew to five members after three more former B.C. Conservatives—Rosalyn Bird, Bruce Banman, and Áʼa꞉líya Warbus—joined him and Ian Paton, with Milobar serving as interim leader.
    archived
  • Athletics Canada says missing mountaineer was climbing near Switzerland-Italy border ↗
    Sep 5, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar's unnamed political party has grown to five members after recruiting three former B.C. Conservative MLAs; Milobar will serve as interim leader until a permanent leader is elected before the legislature returns on Oct. 5.
    archived
  • Woman injured after bear attack in park outside Whistler: B.C. conservation officers
    Sep 5, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar's unnamed political party has grown to five members after three former B.C. Conservatives joined, with Milobar serving as interim leader until an October 5 leadership vote.
    forbidden
  • 'Old-school' Nanaimo DJ gears up for national championships
    Sep 5, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar's unnamed centrist political party has grown to five members after three former B.C. Conservative MLAs joined him and Delta South MLA Ian Paton, with plans to sit as official third-party status when the legislature reconvenes on Oct. 5.
    forbidden
  • Missing hiker found alive in Squamish
    Sep 4, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar's unnamed centrist political party has grown to five members after three additional former B.C. Conservative MLAs joined the party, which will hold official third-party status when the legislature reconvenes in October.
    forbidden
  • Rob Shaw: Kahlon promises ‘reset’ on B.C. overdose prevention sites
    Sep 4, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar's unnamed centrist political party has grown to five members after three additional former B.C. Conservative MLAs joined, positioning the party for official third-party status when the legislature reconvenes in October.
    forbidden
  • Man arrested for arson over suspicious fires along B.C. highway ↗
    Sep 4, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: Peter Milobar's unnamed centrist party announced its addition of three former B.C. Conservative MLAs (Rosalyn Bird, Bruce Banman, and Áʼa꞉líya Warbus), bringing the party to five seats total and eligible for official third-party status.
    archived
  • Five former B.C. Conservative MLAs unite under still-unnamed political party
    Sep 4, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter Milobar's unnamed centrist political party added three former B.C. Conservative MLAs, bringing its total to five members as nine Conservative MLAs have left the caucus in three weeks.
    forbidden
  • Voting to begin in federal byelections in Toronto, Vancouver and Chicoutimi ridings
    Aug 31, 2026 · details
    ↳ In this roundup: CentreBC announces Lakhwinder Jhaj as its candidate in the Sept. 26 Abbotsford-Mission byelection, joining Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay and former NDP agriculture minister Pam Alexis.
    forbidden
  • Status quo shadow cabinet revealed by BC Conservatives
    Jun 30, 2026 · details
    forbidden
  • Kerry-Lynne Findlay wins BC Conservative leadership race in narrow finish
    May 30, 2026 · details
    forbidden
  • Leadership vote to be announced for B.C. Conservative Party after Rustad ouster
    May 30, 2026 · details
    forbidden
  • Voting opens in B.C. Conservative leadership race, winner to be announced May 30
    May 23, 2026 · details
    forbidden
  • B.C. Conservative hopeful Findlay still in race after 'unproven and anonymous' claims
    May 22, 2026 · details
    forbidden
  • Rob Shaw: Kerry-Lynne Findlay facing federal election probe
    May 20, 2026 · details
    forbidden

InfoNews Kamloops

Armchair Mayor

CBC News British Columbia

Radio NL

Kamloops Chronicle

Global News Kamloops

Key People, Organizations, and Places

person: Peter Milobar , Kerry-Lynne Findlay , David Eby , Ian Paton , Lorne Doerkson , Rosalyn Bird , Ward Stamer , Ravi Kahlon , Mike Bernier , Bruce Banman , Kalie McCrystal , Stanislav Volo , John Rustad , Áʼa꞉líya Warbus

organization: BC Conservative Party , British Columbia Conservative Party , B.C. Conservative Party , British Columbia New Democratic Party , CentreBC (political party) , CentreBC , Squamish Search and Rescue

city: Kamloops , Whistler, British Columbia , Campbell River

neighbourhood: Kamloops Centre

government_body: British Columbia Legislature , Kamloops Centre electoral district , Elections BC

region: British Columbia

health_facility: Vancouver Coastal Health

Source transparency: this page lists public news coverage of the topic above. We do not republish original reporting. Click any article title to view local metadata and a link to the original source. Last updated Oct 26, 2026 5:25 pm PDT.