LOCAL
B.C. Conservative Caucus Shrinks to 31 Members Ahead of Key Monday Meeting
B.C. Conservative caucus shrinks to 31 members following Bruce Banman’s departure and local resignations ahead of leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s Monday meeting.
Caucus Numbers Drop to 31 Ahead of Party Gathering
The B.C. Conservative caucus is set to assemble on Monday with 31 MLAs expected to attend following a series of high-profile departures. The total represents six fewer members than their previous gathering and 12 fewer than attended the initial meeting after the 2024 provincial election.
The caucus now faces potential parity with independent members in the legislature, whose numbers have grown to 11 following an earlier group that departed during John Rustad’s tenure. Efforts are currently underway to organize the independent MLAs.
Bruce Banman Steps Down to Sit as Independent
The latest departure occurred Thursday when Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman announced his resignation from the caucus. Banman had previously provided the party with official legislative status after leaving BC United to join Rustad, marking the first time the B.C. Conservatives held party status in 50 years.
In a statement released Thursday, Banman cited feedback from his local constituents as the primary motivation for his decision to sit as an Independent. He stated that community members expressed concerns that the party was becoming smaller rather than expanding to build the broad coalition needed to defeat the NDP. Banman urged fellow lawmakers to consider taking similar action.
Byelection Challenges in Abbotsford Area
Banman’s exit directly impacts the neighboring area where B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay plans to contest an upcoming byelection. The riding association president in the adjacent constituency of Abbotsford-Mission also resigned recently while voicing opposition to Findlay’s leadership.
Six team members have left the party recently, citing disagreements regarding Findlay’s leadership style, ethics, values, and political strategy. Findlay has recently shifted her public response from polite departures to direct criticisms of those stepping away.
Surreptitious Recordings Raise Caucus Security Concerns
Internal party tensions follow the public release of secret audio recordings. One unverified recording from July featured Findlay offering senior positions to individuals willing to resign their legislative seats to accommodate her entry into the legislature. Findlay characterized the recording as a political smear tactic.
A separate covert recording posted recently was connected to the departure of a newly appointed staff member, raising privacy and security concerns among party members heading into Monday’s meeting.
LOCAL
Community Safety Highlighted After Gunshots Hit Fort St. John Home
Fort St. John RCMP are investigating after gunshots struck a home on Saturday. Police confirm no injuries were reported in the residential incident.
RCMP Respond to Shooting in Residential Area
An investigation is underway in Fort St. John, B.C., after a local home was struck by gunfire on Saturday.
RCMP officers were dispatched to the neighborhood following multiple public reports of gunshots. Upon arrival, police confirmed that a residence had been hit several times.
Police Warn of Danger to Neighbourhood
No injuries were reported as a result of the gunfire. However, law enforcement officials emphasized the severe potential risks associated with the incident.
“Cpl. Brett Urano says it was fortunate no one was injured, but the potential for a tragic outcome can’t be understated,” police stated. Officials added that discharging firearms in a residential area puts innocent individuals and families at serious risk.
LOCAL
Suspect Arrested in North Kelowna Hit-and-Run After Multi-Unit RCMP Search
Kelowna and Lake Country RCMP arrested a hit-and-run suspect after a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97 near Ellison Lake on Oct. 24. No injuries reported.
Hit-and-Run Incident Causes Traffic Delay on Highway 97
A driver attempting to flee on foot following a two-vehicle crash on Highway 97 near Ellison Lake was taken into custody by police on Saturday, Oct. 24. The collision in North Kelowna resulted in traffic slowing to a crawl while emergency responders managed the scene.
Extensive Police Response Leads to Arrest
Witnesses contacted authorities after observing the driver of a black sedan abandon the vehicle and run into a nearby green space. Multiple law enforcement teams were dispatched to track down the fleeing suspect, including the Kelowna RCMP Road Safety Unit, the Kelowna RCMP Gang Enforcement Team, frontline officers, Lake Country RCMP, Police Dog Services, and RCMP Air Services.
According to Kelowna RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Steven Lang, officers located and arrested the suspected driver close to the crash site shortly after the search began.
Police Investigation Ongoing
Authorities reported that no injuries occurred as a result of the collision. “Investigators believe alcohol and speed were factors in the collision,” Lang stated.
HEALTH
Coquihalla Highway Reopens Near Merritt Following Morning Crash That Injured Four
The Coquihalla Highway north of Merritt has reopened following a Saturday morning vehicle crash that resulted in four people being taken to the hospital.
Traffic Resumes Following Serious Morning Incident
Four people were hospitalized, including three in critical condition, after a motor vehicle incident occurred north of Merritt on Saturday morning, October 17.
DriveBC reported that the Coquihalla Highway was reopened in both directions from Exit 290 to Exit 315 at approximately 4:00 p.m., following the earlier closure.
Emergency Responders Deploy Air Ambulances
BC Emergency Health Services dispatched multiple resources after receiving a call at approximately 8:35 a.m. The response included two air ambulances, three primary care paramedic ambulances, one advanced care paramedic ambulance, and a paramedic supervisor.
According to BCEHS, crews provided emergency medical care at the scene. Two of the three critically injured patients were flown to the hospital via air ambulance, while a fourth patient was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
Why the Early Election Gamble Backfired on the NDP
Why Fake Signs Targeted a Small Green Party Campaign on B.C. Election Eve
Why the Conservatives’ Majority Win in Kelowna-Mission Signals Big Changes for Local Healthcare and Economy
Why B.C.’s Latest Election Results Are Sparking Renewed Calls for Voting Reform
Your Current 3 Day Forecast — October 27, 2026
Why First Nations Leaders Are Gathering in Ottawa to Push Back on Fast-Tracked Resource Projects
Opinion: John Rustad Has to Go
B.C. Supreme Court Grants Cowichan Tribes Title to Historic Richmond Lands and Fishing Rights
Vancouver Canucks Gear Up for a Make-or-Break 2025–26 Season
BC Ferries Sparks Outcry Over Contract with Chinese Shipyard
Kamloops Blazers Announce Off-Season Changes Ahead of 2025–26 Season
A Taste of Autumn: Fall Okanagan Wine Festival 2025
-
SPORTS5 days agoWhy B.C. Lions Starters Are Resting as the Regular Season Concludes Against Winnipeg
-
BC STORIES5 days agoBC Conservatives Promise Forestry Overhaul to Revive Jobs as NDP Points to Millions in Existing Investment
-
OPINIONS5 days agoHow Minor Parties and Strategic Balloting Could Shift the Upcoming B.C. Election
-
BC STORIES6 days agoPolice Seek Witnesses After Fatal Wrong-Way Collision Near Merritt
-
5 days ago
Your Current 3 Day Forecast — October 22, 2026
-
6 days ago
Your Current 3 Day Forecast — October 21, 2026
-
NATIONAL STORIES6 days ago
Highland Valley Copper Workers Could Strike Saturday as Union Issues Notice
-
HEALTH6 days agoCoquihalla Highway Reopens Near Merritt Following Morning Crash That Injured Four