2 MLAs defect from B.C. Conservative Party following Dallas Brodie's ouster
Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy says he plans to form a new party
MLAs are leaving the B.C. Conservative Party after Dallas Brodie was kicked out of the party caucus.
Jordan Kealy of Peace River North and Tara Armstrong of Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream, both made the announcement on Facebook Friday evening.
Kealy wrote that the party has become "toxic," saying it was "eating itself alive," while Armstrong wrote that leader John Rustad has "abandoned the truth and his moral compass in a quest for power."
Brodie was removed from the B.C. Conservative caucus after appearing on a video podcast discussing residential schools.
Rustad said that in the video, Brodie "uses a mocking, child-like voice to belittle testimony from former residential school students, saying things like 'my grandmother's truth' and 'my truth, your truth' in a child-like 'whining' voice," an action that he said is "beyond the pale."
Kealy says he wants to form a new party
In his post, Kealy indicates interest in forming a "new party that respects Conservative values," but that he plans to represent his region "with or without a party."
According to the Canadian Press, Kealy said he will inform the Speaker on Monday that he intends to form a separate caucus, saying it only takes two members to be recognized as a party in the British Columbia Legislature, and he knows "for a fact there's going to be more people."
The defections put a dent in the Conservatives' strong showing in the B.C. Legislature.
Following the results of last year's election, the B.C. NDP formed government with 47 members and the Conservatives formed the Official Opposition with 44 members. The Greens hold the other two seats.
Rustad has been trying to manage different factions of the party since the resumption of sessions in Victoria, saying he would not be whipping votes and that he wants the Conservatives to be a big-tent party.
The NDP has sought to exploit that strategy through some of its motions, including one calling on MLAs to condemn U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threats.
Five Conservative MLAs voted against the motion, including Brodie, Armstrong and Kealy. Also voting against it were Heather Maas and Brent Chapman, with Harman Bhangu not present.
Kealy called it a "loaded motion" aimed at division.
Kealy said as a farmer, he's "completely against tariffs, but I want to see better diplomacy from our leaders when it comes to other countries and our strongest trading partner."
Kealy, Brodie and Armstrong are first-time MLAs.
With files from Katie DeRosa and The Canadian Press