Reann Gasper to resign as MLA, opening a path to the legislature for Kerry-Lynne Findlay

Among the questions Kerry-Lynne Findlay has faced being elected leader of the B.C. Conservative Party in May – What will she do if she becomes premier? Can she unite the Conservative caucus? – one very practical consideration has loomed large.

For Findlay to take her place in the legislature as the leader of the official Opposition, she first needs to become an MLA.

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On Saturday, B.C. Conservative deputy whip Reann Gasper offered what she hopes will be the answer: Gasper announced she will step down as MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, opening a seat for Findlay to seek in an upcoming byelection.

Gasper says she has “confidence” in Findlay’s leadership and ability to represent the riding, as well as the party and the province as a whole.

“Ultimately, we have a bigger objective: We need to defeat the NDP and form government,” Gasper said in a statement Saturday afternoon. “That requires us to make decisions that put the strength of our team and our ability to win first. I believe this is one of those decisions.”

Now that Gasper is stepping down, Premier David Eby has six months to call a byelection. The campaign will last for 28 days, with the final count coming at least four days after election day.

Findlay says her priority now is to “earn the trust of the people of Abbotsford-Mission” as she prepares for the byelection.

“Reann has made a thoughtful decision that puts the interests of our party, our province and our shared goal of forming government first,” Findlay said in a statement.

In 2024, Gasper won her seat with 55 per cent of the vote in Abbotsford-Mission, defeating NDP candidate Pam Alexis by approximately 2500 votes.