Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s resignation as leader of the B.C. Conservatives could change the calculus for the governing NDP when it comes to calling a snap election, according to a local polling firm. Speculation has been ramping up that Premier David Eby will call an election as soon as Tuesday—possibly sending voters to the polls as early as Oct. 24. But with Findlay’s resignation Sunday, dropping the writ could prove costly, according to Mario Canseco, head of Research Co. He told CTV News he thinks the departure of a divisive leader could open the door to co-operation among those opposed to Eby and the NDP. “I think there’s an opportunity for dialogue between those who remain in caucus and those who left. It’s pretty clear that the people who decided to walk away from the B.C. Conservative caucus did so because they didn’t like Kerry-Lynne Findlay,” he said. “Once you remove Kerry-Lynne Findlay, the opportunity to establish something that is more meaningful, more centred on policy, less focused on culture wars, could certainly provide the unity that they require.” Three distinct parties on the political right are likely to run candidates in the next provincial election—the B.C. Conservatives, CentreBC, and OneBC. In addition, there are sitting Independent MLAs who staunchly oppose Eby and the NDP. John Rustad reacts Speaking with CTV News after Findlay’s resignation, former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad said the party’s next leader doesn’t necessarily have to come from within, suggesting an external voice might be a solution for the embattled party. “It just has to be somebody who can pull this party together, who can pull people together, who can show the province a vision for a prosperous British Columbia, a vision for how we can address these serious issues that the NDP has thrust upon the people in this province,” he said. “It’s unfortunate to see what has happened in terms of the turmoil. So, I really feel for Kerry-Lynne, but I think she has done the right thing to step down so that we can bring together the center right.” Under Rustad’s leadership, the Conservatives won 44 seats to the B.C. NDP’s 47—coming within a hair’s breadth of forming government. Rustad resigned his leadership position last year in order to avoid what he described as a “civil war” among B.C. Conservatives. On Friday, Rustad was ousted from caucus by Findlay—who at the time remained defiant in the face of a rash of defections under her leadership. Rustad said Sunday that while he is no longer a member of the Conservative caucus, he remains a member of the party. He says next steps for caucus will likely be to come together and decide on an interim leader. On the topic of a potential snap election, Rustad said Eby probably regrets not making the call on Saturday. “My guess is that this may give him pause, but I think he also realizes that his own party wants him gone. He is not popular with the public when you compare him to somebody other than Kerry-Lynne Findlay,” Rustad said. “I think, quite frankly, he’s probably going to be very concerned.” Asked if he thinks he could be named interim leader of the B.C. Conservatives, Rustad said, “I’d love to say no comment, but at this stage it’s too early to tell.” “I think what’s most important is that caucus comes together and is united, and we look at bringing in the members who have left our caucus so that we can come together and face the NDP and present that replacement government that people are looking for in this province,” he said. Reaction from another ousted Conservative Skeena MLA Claire Rattee was ousted from the B.C. Conservative caucus alongside Rustad and Trevor Halford on Friday. After months of turmoil and party defections, Rattee publicly called on the leader to resign. At the time, Findlay was refusing to step down. In an interview with CTV News on Sunday afternoon, Rattee said she is still a member of the B.C. Conservative caucus and will run for the party in the next election. As for who could be the next B.C. Conservative party leader, Rattee said that will be determined in the coming days. “I can say that I’m sure that there’s a number of names in the mix right now, but the reality is, until we have the opportunity to be able to sit down as a group and discuss it, it’s impossible to say,” said Rattee. Findlay confirmed in her resignation statement that she will remain the B.C. Conservative candidate in Abbotsford-Mission, and Rattee said that is the right thing to do. “We can’t afford to cede this seat. I wouldn’t expect anything less,” she said, before expressing hope that eight former colleagues who left the B.C. Conservatives to join CentreBC will come back into the fold. “If you are somebody in British Columbia that believes that we need to defeat David Eby, then this is your movement too, and I think that we can be unified around that message and around that concept. This is not the time for egos, pettiness, issues.” Asked about the possibility of a snap election, Rattee said she thinks Eby was “trying to take advantage of what he perceived as being turmoil within our party.” “I think that he has mistaken something that is continuing to grow for something that might be crumbling, and he is dead wrong,” she said. “It’ll be a matter of what he decides to do next, but either way, we’ll be prepared and ready.” With files from CTV Vancouver’s Rob Buffam and Lisa Steacy
