SOUND OFF: The future of British Columbia

Two former BC Conservative MLAs, Elenore Sturko and Amelia Boultbee, also spoke out against Findlay. Sturko called her “quite a bit radical,” and on the night of the leadership election said, “the results of last night’s BC Conservative leadership race have left a void in the political landscape for those who are looking for an alternative… I feel strongly that British Columbia is best served when it is represented by a government that values broad perspectives and stays away from polarizing extremes. I believe that the majority of British Columbians feel the same.”

In an interview, Boultbee said a portion of the party’s base and board wants to take B.C. Conservatives “further and further to the right,” where they want to “engage in Donald Trump-style populism.”

Findlay’s fellow leadership candidates also pointed out how her narrow, extreme-right views would affect the party. Iain Black called her out by reminding people: “We lost the election in 2024 in part due to the racist comments made by our candidate in Surrey South, who happens to be the husband of Kerry-Lynne Findlay. She did not then, and has not since, denounced those comments as reprehensible.”

Brent Chapman, Findlay’s husband and MLA for Surrey South, was among members of the B.C. Conservative caucus who voted against a motion condemning Donald Trump’s unjust tariff attacks on Canada.

Just last week, Kerry-Lynne refused to speak out when Independent Jordan Kealy, who endorsed her leadership and even mentioned returning to the B.C. Conservatives should she be successful, was charged with sexual assault.

Peter Milobar also pointed out that, in a general election, “stoking this type of complete, false narrative race-baiting rhetoric,” is not a strategy to win over British Columbians.

There is nothing more important than creating a British Columbia where people feel safe, valued, and like they can create a good life here, no matter where they come from, who they choose to love, the colour of their skin, or any part of their identity.

These Trump-style politics are dangerous to Indigenous, Black and racialized communities, as well as other marginalized communities. In B.C., we’ve seen both Jewish and Muslim communities facing higher instances of violence. The South Asian community is facing increasing levels of violence both online and in person. In the U.S., reproductive rights have been stripped back and are on the line. Kerry-Lynne Findlay has parroted Trump’s lines too many times for it to be a coincidence, and that is dangerous for people in B.C.

This ultra far-right thinking could reverse the incredible amount of work our government has done in B.C. to protect and further human rights. All people deserve opportunities, and to live with dignity – and no one deserves to be discriminated against because of the colour of their skin, Indigeneity, gender identity, or who they love.

I know that the news of her victory is upsetting and worrisome, but we know that British Columbians will always stand up against hate, and your government will be right there with you. While the BC Conservatives are focused on Trump-style division, we’re moving forward and making progress on things that help all British Columbians, like housing costs, addressing the doctor shortage, and approving billions in job-creating progress.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by Rohini Arora, MLA for Burnaby-East

SOUND OFF: The future of British Columbia

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