SURREY — Former Conservative Party of Canada whip Kerry-Lynne Findlay has entered the B.C. Conservative leadership race, campaigning on her support for the illegal anti-vaccine “freedom” convoy that peddled conspiracy theories, condoned hate, and cost the Canadian economy billions.

Findlay’s launch video attacks the B.C. Liberals in the race, like Peter Milobar, Iain Black and Caroline Elliott, for their party’s vote to condemn the freedom convoy.

Former B.C. Conservative Whip Bruce Banman has also indicated plans to enter the race. Banman became the second B.C. Conservative MLA when he defected over attempts to make him vote with the B.C Liberals and condemn the convoy. In 2025, convoy organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber were found guilty of mischief and counselling others to disobey a court order.

As Mayor of Abbotsford, Banman was responsible for staff dumping chicken manure on a homeless camp. Like other leadership candidates, Banman is promising to cancel changes at ICBC that resulted in a $500 rate reduction and rate freezes for seven consecutive years.

Amna Shah, B.C. NDP MLA for Surrey-City Centre:

“While the vast majority of Canadians did the right thing by getting vaccinated, Kerry-Lynne Findlay and Bruce Banman cheered on the illegal and dangerous anti-vaccine convoy that shut down our cities. The B.C. Conservatives are more focused on bringing Trump-style politics to our province than on the things that matter most to British Columbians.”