Á'a:líya Warbus quits BC Conservative caucus, will sit as Independent

Chilliwack-Cultus Lake MLA Á'a:líya Warbus has announced her departure from the BC Conservative caucus.

She will sit as an Independent.

"The decisions of this leader, or lack there of, along with the parade of people that have already come and gone in the span of three short months strike a serious chord that everyone should pay close attention to," Warbus wrote in a statement. "It is not just sitting MLAs that have walked away but critical and talented members of our riding associations and staff that we rely on."

She added that she's "lost confidence" in her ability to advocate for the needs of her constituents under Kerry-Lynne Findlay's leadership.

"There has been a critical breakdown in communication not only with the public, but also with MLAs and staff. Caucus members have learned of hirings, firings, critic appointments, and leadership positions through any and all channels including social media before being informed by leadership," Warbus lamented.

She criticized Findlay for postponing a caucus meeting set for Monday August 31, arguing that doing so after the "implosion" of the week before "reflects the lack of value being placed on caucus members and their opinions."

"It is one thing to ask for people's trust, and quite another to blind fold someone and expect faith alone to substitute for transparency and accountability," Warbus declared. "This mounting instability is not what anyone would expect from the next Premier of our Province. Much of the news coming out of the BC Conservatives as of late, does not reflect the honest values of leadership and governance our constituents expect of us."

Warbus is the seventh MLA to leave the party in 17 days, joining Peter Milobar, Ian Paton, Rosalyn Bird, Teresa Wat, Brennan Day, and Bruce Banman.

More to come...