A 14th B.C. Conservative MLA leaves caucus as calls grow for leader to resign

Linda Hepner, who serves in the Surrey-Serpentine River riding, told CBC News Sunday morning she has resiged from Conservative caucus "effective immediately."

Hepner is the 14th MLA the Conservative party has lost since Kerry-Lynne Findlay became leader

Listen to this article

Estimated 2 minutes

The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.

Another Conservative MLA has resigned, joining 13 other MLAs the party has lost since Kerry-Lynne Findlay became leader amid growing calls for her to resign.

Linda Hepner, who serves in B.C's Surrey-Serpentine River riding and formerly served as Surrey's mayor, told CBC News Sunday morning she has resiged from Conservative caucus "effective immediately."

In her message sent to Findlay that she provided to CBC News, Hepner said she has lost confidence in the party leadership's willingness to listen, seek experienced advice and consider different perspectives.

She described the party as "a distracting cacophony of voices that are not grounded in the everyday concerns of British Columbians."

The Conservative Party now has 24 remaining MLAs. It has lost 14, 10 of whom resigned and three who were kicked out.

Hepner said in her message to Findlay she found the decision to remove those three MLAs concerning.

"To me, it is beyond the pale of common sense to remove experienced voices rather than find a way to listen to them," her message said.

Hepner said she will continue to serve her constituents. She did not respond when asked if she plans to join a different party.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle Gomez is a writer and reporter at CBC Vancouver. You can contact her at michelle.gomez@cbc.ca.