Elected leader of the B.C. Conservative Party Kerry-Lynne Findlay speaks during leadership election night in Vancouver, on May 30.ETHAN CAIRNS/The Canadian Press
Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper, who is also the B.C. Conservatives’ deputy whip, has resigned so party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay can run for her seat in a by-election.
Ms. Gasper announced her departure on Saturday and says she made the decision with the future of B.C. in mind.
Findlay, a former MP, was elected as party leader in May with 51 per cent of the vote, without having a seat in the B.C. legislature.
In a statement Saturday, Ms. Findlay thanked Ms. Gasper for her service as MLA and the party’s deputy whip, saying she is grateful to seek a nomination in Ms. Gasper’s soon to be former riding.
The B.C. Conservatives say Ms. Gasper will work closely with Ms. Findlay and the party over the next few months with the aim of defeating the NDP government.
Since May, Ms. Findlay has seen off her party’s executive director, other senior party and caucus staff, and former rival Peter Milobar, who left the party to sit as an Independent.