Findlay shuffles shadow cabinet to fill roles of Milobar, Paton

BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay has made changes to her shadow cabinet following the departure of high-profile MLAs Peter Milobar and Ian Paton.

The former had been finance critic while the latter served as agriculture critic.

In an email to members obtained by Sitka Media, Findlay announced that Gavin Dew will be taking over for Milobar, while Paton's file will be overseen by Bruce Banman, who also serves as tourism critic.

In addition, Reann Gasper has been made deputy chief of staff, Misty Van Popta will be deputy whip, and Scott McInnes will be leading on caucus policy development in addition to his role as Indigenous relations critic. The former stepped down as MLA for Abbotsford-Mission to give Findlay the opportunity to run in a by-election.

"We now have a stronger team than before," Findlay said, "ready and willing to take on and defeat the NDP."

Peter Milobar quits BC Conservative caucus — will sit as independent

He said his values “don’t align” with BC Conservative leader’s new direction.

Sitka MediaSitka Media

Milobar called it quits on August 14, announcing that he would be sitting as an independent. He explained that it has "become clear to me over the last few months that my values don’t align with this new direction" taken by Findlay.

Delta South MLA leaves BC Conservatives to launch new party with Milobar

They’re working to have official party status by the time MLAs reconvene for the fall session.

Sitka MediaJarryd Jäger

Ten days later, Paton followed suit, saying "the new direction of the Conservative Party of BC under the leadership of Kerry-Lynne Findlay is no longer aligned with my beliefs."