Prince George-Valemount MLA Rosalyn Bird said Tuesday she is leaving the B.C. Conservative caucus to sit as an Independent.
Bird is the third MLA to leave the party in recent weeks as dissatisfaction mounts over leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s leadership.
Peter Milobar and Ian Paton said Monday they intend to start a new centre-right political party, although Bird gave no indication whether she will join them.
Bird did not directly criticize Findlay in a statement issued Tuesday.
“This decision was not made lightly. Political parties play an important role in our democracy, but they are vehicles for our values; they cannot become substitutes for them,” said Bird.
She said British Columbians are tired of political infighting.
“Political leaders should understand that words and actions have consequences. They can bring people together, or they can deliberately drive them apart,” she said. “We should be able to disagree, firmly and passionately, while still treating one another with respect.”
Bird said serving the people of Prince George-Valemount remains her first priority.
“My political affiliation may be changing, but my responsibility is not,” she said.
Bird is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran who was first elected to the legislature in 2024. She served as community safety critic in the caucus.
Findlay did not immediately comment on Bird’s departure Tuesday afternoon.
Premier David Eby was asked about the recent departures from the Conservative caucus during an unrelated event Tuesday.
“It’s just a mess after a mess on that Conservative side of things. It’s chaos central over there,” he said.
Eby did not respond to questions about when he plans to call a byelection for the Abbotsford-Mission riding recently vacated by Reann Gasper. Gasper said Aug. 22 she was stepping aside so Findlay could seek a seat in the legislature.
Elections B.C. says a byelection must generally be called within six months after a seat becomes vacant.
