A 14th B.C. Conservative MLA leaves caucus as calls grow for leader to resign
MLA Linda Hepner told CBC News she has resigned from the Conservative caucus 'effective immediately.' (Ben Nelms/CBC)Social SharingAnother Conservative MLA has resigned, joining 13 other MLAs the party has lost since August, amid growing calls for leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay to resign.
Linda Hepner, who serves in B.C's Surrey-Serpentine River riding and formerly served as Surrey's mayor, told CBC News Sunday morning she has resigned from Conservative caucus "effective immediately."
In her message sent to Findlay that she provided to CBC News, Hepner said she has lost confidence in the party leadership's willingness to listen, seek experienced advice and consider different perspectives.
She described the party as "a distracting cacophony of voices that are not grounded in the everyday concerns of British Columbians."
The Conservative Party now has 24 remaining MLAs. It has lost 14, 10 of whom resigned and three who were kicked out.
MLAs Linda Hepner, left, and Elenore Sturko during the Save Our Streets forum in Vancouver on Jan. 23, 2025. (Ben Nelms/CBC)Hepner said in her message to Findlay she found the decision to remove those three MLAs concerning.
"To me, it is beyond the pale of common sense to remove experienced voices rather than find a way to listen to them," her message said.
Hepner said she will continue to serve her constituents. She did not respond when asked if she plans to join a different party.
Michelle Gomez is a writer and reporter at CBC Vancouver. You can contact her at michelle.gomez@cbc.ca.
