B.C. Conservative upheaval unabated as latest resignation brings recent exits to 13

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The MLA for Surrey-Serpentine River said she would continue to serve her constituents “with independence, common sense and respect.”

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Hepner’s resignation brings to 13 the number of sitting legislators who have exited the caucus under Findlay’s leadership since August.

The B.C. legislature website confirms the Conservatives have lost another member, showing 24 members, down from 25 on Saturday, with Independents up to 18.

Hepner’s message said Rustad in particular built the Conservatives up from a single elected member after he was ousted from the former BC Liberals and sat as an Independent before becoming the sole Conservative MLA in 2023.

“Whatever differences leadership perceives exists, he unquestionably represents a deep connection to the grassroots of this party,” she said of Rustad.

“My heart is heavy to leave those in caucus I’ve come to care for and to admire but my tolerance for the current upheaval has been exhausted,” she said.

Hepner appears to have opted against joining CentreBC, whose ranks swelled on Friday as eight former provincial Conservatives announced they would join, including former Opposition finance critic Peter Milobar, who becomes its leader.

The other legislators include six other recent defectors from the Conservatives — Bruce Banman, Rosalyn Bird, Ian Paton, Teresa Wat, A’a:liya Warbus and Donegal Wilson — who said previously they would form their own party with Milobar.

The eighth is Elenore Sturko, who was ousted from the Conservatives last year.

Formed in March 2025 without a sitting MLA, CentreBC is now set to become the third largest party in the legislature when it resumes next month.

Milobar said Friday that CentreBC planned to run candidates in all 93 ridings in the event of an early election.

Premier David Eby was asked about an early vote at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Vancouver, just before CentreBC announced its new recruits.

“We haven’t made any decisions yet,” he said. But Eby said he didn’t think it was “ever wrong to ask British Columbians about which direction we should go.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2026.

Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press