Teresa Wat Resigns from B.C. Conservatives Over Loyalty Allegations

MLA Teresa Wat resigned from the B.C. Conservatives on August 26, 2026, announcing she will sit as an Independent. The resignation follows the leak of group chat messages attributed to party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, which allegedly linked Wat to the Chinese Communist Party and questioned her loyalty to Canada.

Wat stated that the lack of a promised apology caused damage to her reputation within her Richmond-Bridgeport constituency. She described the remarks as distasteful and hurtful, noting she could no longer serve in a caucus led by someone who questioned her loyalty without evidence.

Wat is the third MLA to leave the party in three days and the fourth in two weeks. She follows Rosalyn Bird, who also resigned to sit as an Independent, and Ian Paton and Peter Milobar, who intend to form a new political party. Bird stated that British Columbians should be able to reject hatred while maintaining necessary conversations on complex issues.

Kerry-Lynne Findlay responded to the wave of defections by claiming those leaving the party lack its vision of prosperity and hope, suggesting they believe they know better than the party leadership regarding its direction.