Former Mayor Criticizes Party’s Shift to Far Right

Randy Hawes announced on social media Monday, Aug. 24, that he has stepped down as president of the Abbotsford-Mission riding association and departed the Conservative Party of B.C. His resignation comes as party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay seeks to run for the seat. Hawes, a former Mission mayor and BC Liberal MLA, stated that Findlay represents “a huge step to the far right,” adding that her political direction is not what the province needs or wants.

Surprise Resignation of Sitting MLA Prompts Concerns

Hawes had served as riding association president since Gasper was elected, helping recruit new members and fundraise. However, Gasper recently stepped down as MLA to make way for Findlay, taking a new role as Findlay’s deputy chief of staff. Hawes said he received no advance notice of Gasper’s departure, learning about it entirely through news reports and social media. He criticized the move, arguing that an Abbotsford-Mission byelection is an unnecessary expense and suggesting Findlay should have instead asked her husband, Surrey South MLA Brent Chapman, to vacate his seat.

Broader Party Departures and Political Uncertainty

Reflecting on the party’s direction since Findlay became leader in May, Hawes expressed disappointment, noting he had hoped the party would remain centre-right rather than adopting what he described as a “MAGA-style right where you hate people.” He indicated he intends to work against Findlay’s candidacy while hoping a centrist alternative emerges. The departure follows other recent exits within the party, including party president Aisha Estey, vice-president Sharon White, and MLAs Ian Paton and Peter Milobar. In a Tuesday press conference in Vancouver, Findlay acknowledged the instability, telling reporters, “There may even be others that leave our caucus; I don’t know.” The Conservative Party of B.C. was not contacted for comment.

Trade Talks Collapse After U.S. Proposes Unfair Terms

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced he has walked away from trade negotiations with the United States government after a last-ditch effort to reach an agreement failed ahead of a midnight deadline. Speaking on Parliament Hill, Carney stated that negotiators worked in good faith but rejected last-minute American demands that sought to restrict Canada’s capacity to sign new trade agreements and undermine protections for the French language.

The breakdown resulted in new 50 per cent tariffs taking effect at 12:01 a.m. on billions of dollars in Canadian exports. In response, Carney confirmed Canada will match the U.S. tariffs dollar for dollar starting Tuesday, Sept. 8, targeting sectors such as steel, electronics, dairy, agricultural equipment, and pulp and paper.

Provincial Leaders Stand Firm Alongside Team Canada

Carney convened a virtual meeting with provincial and territorial leaders to highlight the necessity of cross-border unity and domestic collaboration. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham voiced their support for federal retaliatory tariffs and the Team Canada approach. Ontario Premier Doug Ford commended Carney for confronting U.S. President Donald Trump, noting that auto and steel sector leaders agreed the U.S. proposed a bad deal.

In British Columbia, Premier David Eby warned that Washington cannot expect a positive relationship while attacking Canada. Meanwhile, Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette noted that the 50 per cent levies impact $7.7 billion of goods from her province, excluding prior tariffs on steel, aluminum, and lumber. Fréchette committed to keeping American liquor off Quebec shelves as long as the trade conflict continues, while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed disappointment over the collapse of talks.

Local Reactions and Industry Concerns Mount

Reactions stretched into athletic venues and local communities. At Vancouver’s BC Place, crowd jeers greeted the opening notes of “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to a Major League Soccer match between the Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas. In Ontario, Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath expressed deep concern over the impact on her city’s manufacturing, steel, and agricultural sectors.

Industry associations expressed urgent concerns regarding the trade dispute. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture warned that tariffs risk raising food prices and destabilizing farm businesses across the border. Similarly, the Canadian American Business Council cautioned that tariffs will disrupt supply chains and slow economic growth, urging both nations to return to the bargaining table.

Political Figures and Sector Advocates React

Opposition party leaders offered their perspectives on the trade breakdown. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre described the new American tariffs as unjustified and urged unity to safeguard jobs, indicating plans to consult Carney. Federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis supported Carney’s decision to walk away, arguing that accepting the deal would have compromised big tech regulations and cemented damaging tariffs.

Cultural advocates also backed the stance, with Canadian Media Producers Association President Reynolds Mastin praising the federal government for protecting the Online Streaming Act. From the U.S. side, Distilled Spirits Council chief executive Chris Swonger welcomed American recognition of sales bans on U.S. alcohol in Canadian provinces, while calling on both governments to resume talks to restore American products to Canadian shelves.

Rosalyn Bird Becomes Latest Conservative MLA to Go Independent

The caucus of the B.C. Conservatives has shrunk once again following the exit of Prince George-Valemount MLA Rosalyn Bird. Announcing her plans to sit as an Independent, Bird expressed in a written release that while political organizations serve as important vehicles for democracy, “they are vehicles for our values: they cannot be substitutes for them.” She added that her decision was not made lightly, noting her belief that citizens are “tired of political infighting, name-calling and division.”

Growing List of Departures Under Findlay’s Leadership

Bird is the latest in a series of departures, joining Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar and Delta South MLA Ian Paton, who also chose to sit as Independents. Milobar and Paton have stated their intent to establish a new political party. The recent exits leave the B.C. Conservative caucus at 35 sitting members, down from the 44 elected in October 2024. While earlier resignations occurred under former leader John Rustad, the latest members have left due to dissatisfaction with the party’s hard shift to the right or the leadership of Kerry-Lynne Findlay.

Tensions Over Legislative Seats

Findlay, who secured the party leadership on May 30, currently requires a byelection victory to gain a seat in the provincial legislature. Reports indicate that both Bird and Paton were asked to step aside so Findlay could run, though both declined. While Paton acknowledged this request upon leaving on Monday, Bird’s written statement made no mention of it. Meanwhile, Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper has offered to step down to create a vacancy for Findlay, although no byelection date has been set.

Speaking at a Vancouver press conference on Tuesday, Findlay acknowledged that further caucus exits remained possible. Responding to the departures, Findlay stated, “But if they’re leaving, that means they do not have a vision for prosperity and hope that we’re presenting for all British Columbians. It means somewhere along the way they’ve decided that they know better than us where we should be going.”