B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay has unveiled a new caucus leadership team.
Chilliwack North MLA Heather Maahs will serve as interim leader of the Official Opposition while Findlay is still without a seat in the legislature.
“We’re all hoping that Kerry-Lynne will obtain a seat in a by-election before the House resumes sitting,” Maahs told Vista News. “But in the meantime, I’m honoured to serve her and the party this way.”
Maahs pushed back on the idea that there’s a divide in the party between members who align with Findlay’s populist platform and the more centre-leaning members.
“Division is a made-up thing. We’re all on the same team,” she said.
Trevor Halford, who had served as interim leader since John Rustad stepped down in December, is not on the revamped leadership team.
Neither is Áʼa꞉líya Warbus, whose former role of Official Opposition House leader has been handed to Prince George-North Cariboo MLA Sheldon Clare.
“It’s a huge responsibility. I feel I’m up to the challenge,” said Clare.
Clare ran for the party leadership, but dropped out of the race in February and endorsed Findlay.
Other key leadership appointees include Lorne Doerksen as deputy house leader, Macklin McCall as whip and Reann Gasper as deputy whip, while Jody Toor will remain as caucus chair.
Sharon Hartwell is the caucus representative to the party’s board.
Regional roles include David Williams as the Okanagan and Interior lieutenant, Anna Kindy as Vancouver Island lieutenant and Ian Paton as Lower Mainland lieutenant.
Three other Findlay supporters have been named stakeholder relations lieutenants: Lawrence Mok, Steve Kooner and Brent Chapman, who is married to Findlay.
“We are building a big tent party where British Columbians from all walks of life who want to restore our prosperity and our freedoms are welcome,” said Findlay in a statement. “My new leadership team represents a unified force from all parts of B.C. that will hold the government to account and lay the foundation to rebuild our great province.”
The B.C. Conservative caucus is set to hold its first official caucus meeting in Penticton on July 2 and 3.
On Friday, Findlay is scheduled to hold her first media availability since her election as party leader on May 30.
— with files from Brendan Pawliw
