Former South Surrey-White Rock MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay will remain on the ballot in the B.C. Conservative Party leadership race after her status as a candidate was called into question at the 11th hour.
B.C. Conservative Party members begin voting tomorrow (Saturday, May 23) in the race for leadership of the party.
Findlay has been at the centre of a storm of controversy this week after reports surfaced that her 2025 federal election campaign was under investigation by Canada’s federal election watchdog.
A Business in Vancouver story on Wednesday, May 20 said Findlay was under investigation by the Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections, the body that oversees federal election laws, for allegations relating to her unsuccessful bid for re-election in the 2025 Canadian federal election.
Findlay’s campaign fired back that same day with a lengthy statement saying the campaign had received “no notice whatsoever from Elections Canada or the Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections regarding any investigation.”
“Ms. Findlay first learned of the alleged complaints through the media, and as of the morning of May 20, 2026 she still has not received any official documentation, any contact from ‘investigators’ and no indication that any formal process has been initiated,” the statement said.
“One would think that if Elections Canada had credible concerns, the candidate and her campaign would no doubt have been contacted directly by now. Instead, unproven and anonymous allegations have been leaked to the media at the most politically damaging moment possible, just days before the BC Conservative leadership vote concludes.”
The statement said the allegations made in the media were false.
On Friday, May 22, Findlay’s leadership campaign issued a media advisory announcing a press conference on Monday, May 25 regarding a “campaign update.”
Even as that message went out, reports surfaced on X that the BC Conservative Leadership Election Organizing Committee (LEOC) was meeting to discuss Findlay’s candidacy and the possibility of disqualifying her from the leadership race.
Voting opens Saturday with five candidates on ballot
On Friday afternoon, the Conservative Party of BC shared a statement from the LEOC on X.
It said the party has “repeatedly” reached out to the Commissioner of Canada Elections for further information but has received no response to date. It also said the LEOC “repeatedly reached out to Ms. Findlay’s campaign to provide information and cooperation in understanding what this investigation entails and its merits, if any.”
“Repeatedly, Ms. Findlay has not provided any substantive response or cooperated. Nonetheless, to date, there is not enough credible evidence to take further action,” the statement continues.
“Our goal is to provide the membership with as much information as possible and to act in the party’s best interests. This has been, and remains, our goal.”
The statement said the LEOC continues to request information and “clarity” from Findlay but confirmed that, in fact, she will remain in the race.
“Voting will open on Saturday, May 23, at 8:00 a.m. with five contestants on the ballot,” their statement said.
Voting closes May 29, with the new leader to be announced at a leadership convention on Saturday, May 30.
On the ballot with Findlay will be Iain Black, Caroline Elliott, Yuri Fulmer and Peter Milobar.
On X, Fulmer said he’s “grateful” that the LEOC made the right decision to keep Findlay on the ballot.
“Now that this sideshow circus is behind us, let’s get back to what really matters – choosing a Conservative leader who will unite the right, defeat the NDP, and make B.C. the freest province in Canada!,” Fulmer posted.
Elliott, too, posted on X, saying she had “serious concerns” about rumours regarding potential candidate disquaification.
“I do not support disqualifying a candidate the day before voting begins,” her post said. “Members must not be deprived of their say without a clear explanation and evidence of wrongdoing.”
Canada’s election watchdog issues statement
Black Press Media reached out to the Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections regarding the alleged investigation and received a statement in return saying that the office “generally does not confirm having received a complaint or initiated a review or an investigation on a particular issue.”
“Generally speaking, every complaint brought to our office’s attention is evaluated to determine whether the allegations fall within the scope of the Commissioner’s mandate and whether a review or investigation is warranted. Reviews and investigations are intended to collect information to determine whether the allegations are substantiated,” the statement said.
“When a review or investigation leads to formal compliance measures or the laying of charges, this information is made public.”
This story will be updated as further information becomes available.