Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar announced on social media on Friday that he is leaving the B.C. Conservative caucus, saying he no longer shares the party’s values under new Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.

“I completely respect the vote of the membership, and that Kerry-Lynne Findlay has earned the right as leader to shape the party as she sees fit,” he wrote. “It has, however, become clear to me over the last few months that my values don’t align with this new direction.”

Findlay released a statement saying she had spoken with Milobar earlier in the day about his decision. Milobar was the party’s finance critic, a high-profile position.

“I sincerely thank him for his many years of service to British Columbia and his excellent work as the Conservative Party of BC’s Shadow Minister for Finance,” Findlay said. “Peter has been a valued member of our team and I wish him nothing but the best in his future advocacy.”

Black Press Media has reached out to Milobar for comment, who says in his post that he will have more to say in the coming days.

Milobar ran against Findlay for the Conservative nomination, but received the fewest votes in a five-way race.

He clashed with Findlay in a debate when Findlay questioned whether his wife’s work for the Kamloops Indian Band (Milobar’s wife is Indigenous) is a conflict of interest on land rights.

Milobar says he will sit as an Independent. This means there will now be six Independents in the legislature, all former members of the B.C. Conservatives. A seventh Conservative defector, Penticton Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee, has joined the NDP.

This brings the Conservative Caucus total to 37 MLAs, from the 44 elected less than two years ago. The NDP now has 48 MLAs and the Green Party has two.

Kelowna Capital News

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