Scott McInnis quits BC Conservative caucus, will sit as Independent

Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Scott McInnis has announced his departure from the BC Conservative caucus.

He will sit as an Independent.

McInnis announced his decision in a statement Wednesday, saying he no longer believes his goal of helping form government can be achieved under BC Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.

“My goal has always been to serve the people of Columbia River-Revelstoke and help improve British Columbia,” McInnis said. “However, I no longer believe that goal can be attained under the current leadership.”

McInnis said his conservative values remain unchanged, but he can no longer support the “direction, judgment and decisions” of Findlay’s leadership.

He pointed to concerns over staffing, senior appointments, caucus relations and the direction of the party since Findlay became leader.

“Competent and experienced staff have been fired, serious ethical questions have accumulated around members of the Leader’s senior team, and reported connections to Alberta separatism — an issue which is extremely contentious in Columbia River-Revelstoke which shares a 200km border with Alberta — and matters involving the RCMP have only added to those concerns,” he said.

McInnis also accused the party of becoming an “exclusive private club” focused on ideological divisions rather than building the broad coalition he believes is needed to form government.

He said the current direction is a “recipe for failure,” arguing the party needs to attract voters from the political centre through to the right.

“I remain a conservative,” McInnis said. “I will continue working toward a government grounded in free enterprise, responsible fiscal management and a positive vision for BC, one capable of bringing people together rather than driving them apart.”

McInnis is the ninth MLA to leave the party in 19 days, joining Peter Milobar, Ian Paton, Rosalyn Bird, Teresa Wat, Brennan Day, Bruce Banman, Á’a:líya Warbus and Donegal Wilson.

His departure comes the same day Wilson, the MLA for Boundary-Similkameen, announced she was also leaving the caucus to sit as an Independent.

Milobar and Paton have since announced plans to establish a new political party, while the other departing MLAs are sitting as Independents.

McInnis was first elected in Columbia River-Revelstoke in the 2024 provincial election.