B.C. Conservatives appoint Lorne Doerkson interim leader after Findlay resigns

The B.C. Conservative Party’s board of directors appointed MLA Lorne Doerkson as interim leader hours after Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned Sunday.

The resignation and appointment come amid speculation that NDP Premier David Eby may call an early election. Findlay stepped down fewer than four months after winning the party’s leadership contest, saying the decision was not easy but that she believed it was right for the movement and British Columbia.

Her resignation follows weeks of upheaval in the Conservative caucus, including defections and expulsions. Former leader John Rustad was ejected from caucus Friday and is set to speak with reporters in Victoria later Monday.

Doerkson was first elected in Cariboo–Chilcotin in 2020 as a B.C. United member and was re-elected in 2024 before joining the Conservatives. The NDP caucus met late Sunday to discuss Findlay’s resignation as speculation about an early election continued.