Political turmoil in B.C. deepens as Chapman withdraws from election race

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 06, 2026

Photo Courtesy: CBC News

The political fallout from the leadership turmoil inside the B.C. Conservatives has taken another turn, with former legislator Brent Chapman stepping away from the upcoming provincial election.

Chapman had planned to run for OneBC in Surrey South after leaving the Conservative caucus last month. But his name was not included on the final list of candidates released by Elections BC, and OneBC later confirmed that he and the party had mutually agreed that he would not contest the riding.

The decision came after OneBC said Chapman and his wife, former B.C. Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, had faced what the party described as a “torrent of threats and abuse from insiders.”

OneBC did not identify the individuals it was referring to or provide details about the alleged threats. The party said the political conflict of recent months had placed enormous strain on the couple and emphasized that family and security were factors in Chapman’s decision to step back.

The development follows Findlay’s abrupt departure from the B.C. Conservatives less than four months after winning the party’s leadership. Her resignation came after a series of divisions, defections and internal disputes within the party.

Chapman subsequently joined OneBC, a political group that emerged from the Conservative split, and had been expected to defend his Surrey South seat under the new party banner.

His withdrawal leaves OneBC without Chapman as it heads into the October 24 provincial election. The party is also facing an organizational hurdle after failing to meet the requirements for official party status when the election was called.

The episode highlights the continuing fragmentation on the right side of B.C. politics, with the election campaign now unfolding against the backdrop of leadership changes, party defections and competing conservative groups.

For Findlay and Chapman, however, the latest development shifts the focus away from another election campaign and toward the personal consequences of a turbulent period in B.C. politics.