Kerry-Lynne Findlay

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The Honourable
Kerry-Lynne Findlay
PC KC
Findlay in 2022
Leader of the Conservative Party
of British Columbia
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 30, 2026
Preceded byTrevor Halford (interim)
Minister of National Revenue
In office
July 15, 2013 – November 4, 2015
Prime MinisterStephen Harper
Preceded byGail Shea
Succeeded byDiane Lebouthillier
Other positions
Chief Opposition Whip
In office
September 13, 2023 – April 28, 2025
LeaderPierre Poilievre
Preceded byBlaine Calkins
Succeeded byChris Warkentin
Associate Minister of National Defence
In office
February 22, 2013 – July 15, 2013
Prime MinisterStephen Harper
Preceded byBernard Valcourt
Succeeded byJulian Fantino
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice
In office
May 25, 2011 – February 21, 2013
MinisterRob Nicholson
Member of Parliament
In office
October 21, 2019 – April 28, 2025
Preceded byGordie Hogg
Succeeded byErnie Klassen
ConstituencySouth Surrey—White Rock
In office
May 30, 2011 – August 4, 2015
Preceded byJohn Cummins
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
ConstituencyDelta—Richmond East
Personal details
BornKerry-Lynne Donna Findlay
(1955-01-12) January 12, 1955
Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada
PartyBC Conservative (provincial)
Other party
Spouses
    ​
    (died 1989)​
      ​
      (m. 1993)​
      RelativesGreg Findlay (brother)
      University of British Columbia
      Profession
      • Lawyer
      • Politician

      Kerry-Lynne Donna Findlay PC KC (born January 12, 1955) is a Canadian politician and lawyer who has served as leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia since 2026. She previously served as a federal Conservative member of Parliament (MP) for South Surrey—White Rock from 2019 to 2025 and represented the riding of Delta—Richmond East in the House of Commons from 2011 to 2015.[1] During the 28th Canadian Ministry under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Findlay served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, Associate Minister of National Defence, and Minister of National Revenue.

      Kerry-Lynne Findlay was born in Ladysmith, British Columbia, and lived in Nanaimo and Victoria; her brother Greg Findlay was a linebacker for the BC Lions Canadian football team. She comes from a family with many former CFL players; Findlay's father Stephen Findlay played for the Hamilton Tigers in the 23rd Grey Cup.[2] After graduating from Crofton House School in Vancouver, she attended the University of British Columbia, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science in 1975, and a law degree in 1978.[2][3]

      She articled at Kowarsky and Company in Vancouver, then worked there as an associate for two years before briefly serving as in-house counsel for the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.[2] She established her own practice in 1981, then joined Connell Lightbody in 1987 before switching to Watson Goepel Maledy in 1996.[2] During her legal career, Findlay has been active in both the national and B.C. provincial branch of the Canadian Bar Association. She held various positions in that organization including national and provincial chair of the Constitutional Law Section and member of the National Task Force on Canadian Court Reform, and she was acclaimed president of the B.C. Branch for the 1997–1998 term.[2] Findlay was appointed a Queen's Counsel in March 1999 by the Attorney General of British Columbia,[3] and served a five-year term as a Member of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal by appointment of the Federal Minister of Justice (2006–2011).[4]

      Political career

      Findlay first entered politics during the 2000 federal election as a Canadian Alliance candidate in the riding of Vancouver Quadra,[5] but lost to Liberal candidate Stephen Owen.[6]

      Federal politics (2011–2025)

      She was named the Conservative Party's candidate for Delta—Richmond East in March 2011,[7] and won the seat in that year's federal election.[6] During the 41st Parliament, she served as member of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights,[6] and sat on a selection panel to help choose a replacement for Marie Deschamps of Quebec, who retired as puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.[8] She was named Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice in May 2011,[6] and as Associate Minister of National Defence on February 22, 2013.[9] She then served as the Minister of National Revenue from July 15, 2013, until November 4, 2015.[10]

      Party leader Andrew Scheer campaigning with Findlay in December 2017

      She contested the reconstituted riding of Delta in the 2015 election, but lost to Liberal candidate Carla Qualtrough.[11] She then ran for the Conservatives in the 2017 South Surrey—White Rock by-election,[12] but was defeated by the Liberal's Gordie Hogg, taking 42.1% of the vote to Hogg's 47.5%.[13]

      In a re-match at the 2019 election, Findlay unseated Hogg by taking 42.6% of the vote.[14] She served as shadow minister for Environment and Climate Change from November 2019 to September 2020.[6] She received backlash in August 2020 after retweeting another user's Twitter post trying to connect Chrystia Freeland with George Soros.[15] She voted in support of Bill C-233 – an act to amend the Criminal Code (sex-selective abortion), which would make it an indictable or a summary offence for a medical practitioner to knowingly perform an abortion solely on the grounds of the child's genetic sex.[16]

      She was re-elected in 2021 by defeating Gordie Hogg again,[17] and served as shadow minister for National Defence from November 2021 to October 2022.[6] Following Erin O'Toole's ousting as Conservative leader in February 2022, Findlay announced her intention to run for interim party leader;[18] Candice Bergen was ultimately chosen for the role.[19] On September 13, 2022 Findlay was named Chief Opposition Whip by Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre,[20] becoming the first woman to serve in this role for the Conservatives.[21]

      She lost re-election in the 2025 election. Some observers attributed her loss to comments made by her husband Brent Chapman, who is the MLA for Surrey South.[22] In May 2026, the federal election watchdog announced Findlay was under investigation over expenses for her failed re-election bid.[23] Elections Canada alleges Findlay received $75,000 in undeclared and unpaid services from a corporation in exchange for promised federal contracts.[24][23] They further suggest that approximately 50 individuals described as foreign nationals without legal status, canvassed on behalf of Findlay. In response, Findlay threatened legal action against the media for publishing any story mentioning these allegations.[23]

      Leader of the BC Conservatives (2026–present)

      On May 30, 2026, Findlay was elected leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia with 51% of the vote. She took over from interim leader Trevor Halford following the resignation of John Rustad in December 2025.[25]

      During the leadership campaign Findlay faced criticism within her own party for saying fellow leadership candidate Peter Milobar had a conflict of interest when it comes to reconciliation because his wife is Indigenous.[26][27] In response Milobar called Findlay's attacks "the worst side of politics possible,” suggesting her victory would “give a lot of British Columbians pause for thought of whether they would actually vote for a party like this.”[27] Findlay has also received criticism from former Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko, who called her "radical on the right wing," saying she’s been copied on several emails from B.C. Conservative members cancelling their memberships.[27] Former BC United MLA Karin Kirkpatrick called Findlay's victory "very, very bad for the Conservative party."[28][27]

      Personal life

      Findlay was married to lawyer A. Boyd Ferris, with whom she had two children. After Ferris died from a heart attack in 1989, she met actor Brent Chapman.[2][29] The two married in 1993 and had two more daughters together;[2] they also have nine grandchildren.[3] Chapman was elected as the provincial MLA for Surrey South in the 2024 British Columbia general election.[29][30]

      Findlay's volunteer posts, in addition to the Canadian Bar Association, have included chair of the Vancouver City Planning Commission,[2] board member of Science World, executive member of the Junior Leagues of Canada, president of Delta Zeta chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta International Fraternity, and honorary counsel for the Chinese Benevolent Association of Canada. In 2016, she was named a Distinguished Citizen by Alpha Gamma Delta.[31]

      In 2001, she declared bankruptcy with more than a half million dollars in debt. She attributed the bankruptcy to a legal battle with the Musqueam First Nation.[32]

      Electoral history

      2025 Canadian federal election: South Surrey—White Rock
      Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
      LiberalErnie Klassen33,09450.50+11.60
      ConservativeKerry-Lynne Findlay29,92445.67+3.23
      New DemocraticJureun Park1,6342.49–12.31
      GreenChristine Kinnie8751.34N/A
      Total valid votes/expense limit 65,527100.0   
      Total rejected ballots 3680.56
      Turnout 65,89571.59
      Eligible voters 92,041
      Liberal notional gain from Conservative Swing +4.19
      Source: Elections Canada[33][34][35]
      2021 Canadian federal election: South Surrey—White Rock
      Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
      ConservativeKerry-Lynne Findlay24,15842.5+0.6$116,336.93
      LiberalGordie Hogg22,16639.0+2.9$106,216.01
      New DemocraticJune Liu8,39514.8+2.5$5,597.59
      People'sGary Jensen2,1863.8+2.3$2,520.21
      Total valid votes/expense limit 56,90599.6–$116,892.25
      Total rejected ballots 3400.4
      Turnout 57,24564.7-6.7
      Eligible voters 88,048
      Conservative hold Swing -0.6
      Source: Elections Canada[36][37]
      2019 Canadian federal election: South Surrey—White Rock
      Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
      ConservativeKerry-Lynne Findlay24,31041.9-0.24$109,768.11
      LiberalGordie Hogg21,69237.4-10.09none listed
      New DemocraticStephen Crozier6,71611.6+6.72none listed
      GreenBeverly Pixie Hobby4,4587.7+3.58none listed
      People'sJoel Poulin8521.5–$5,942.36
      Total valid votes/expense limit 58,028100.0
      Total rejected ballots 326
      Turnout 58,35469.4
      Eligible voters 84,138
      Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +3.3
      Source: Elections Canada[38][39]
      Canadian federal by-election, 2017: South Surrey—White Rock
      Party Candidate Votes%±%
      LiberalGordie Hogg14,36947.49+6.00
      ConservativeKerry-Lynne Findlay12,75242.14-1.89
      New DemocraticJonathan Silveira1,4784.88-5.53
      GreenLarry Colero1,2474.12+0.70
      Christian HeritageRod Taylor2380.79
      LibertarianDonald Wilson890.29-0.17
      Progressive CanadianMichael Huenefeld860.28+0.09
      Total valid votes/Expense limit 30,259100.00
      Total rejected ballots
      Turnout 30,25938.13-36.60
      Eligible voters 79,359
      Liberal hold Swing +3.95
      2015 Canadian federal election: Delta
      Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
      LiberalCarla Qualtrough27,35549.12+30.55$72,634.16
      ConservativeKerry-Lynne Findlay18,25532.78-15.17$174,408.46
      New DemocraticJeremy Leveque8,31114.92-13.13$59,352.24
      GreenAnthony Edward Devellano1,7683.17-1.57–
      Total valid votes/expense limit 55,689100.00 $206,935.20
      Total rejected ballots 2000.36–
      Turnout 55,88974.47–
      Eligible voters 75,044
      Liberal notional gain from Conservative Swing +22.86
      Source: Elections Canada[40][41][42]
      2011 Canadian federal election: Delta—Richmond East
      Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
      ConservativeKerry-Lynne Findlay26,05954.24-1.51
      New DemocraticNic Slater11,18123.27+8.82
      LiberalAlan Beesley8,11216.88-5.14
      GreenDuane Laird2,3244.84-2.94
      IndependentJohn Shavluk2200.46–
      LibertarianJeff Monds1470.31–
      Total valid votes/Expense limit 48,043100.00
      Total rejected ballots 1680.35-0.03
      Turnout 48,21160.39+0.39
      Eligible voters 79,831––
      2000 Canadian federal election: Vancouver Quadra
      Party Candidate Votes%±%Expenditures
      LiberalStephen Owen22,25344.83+2.69$60,542
      AllianceKerry-Lynne Findlay18,61337.50+9.91$64,240
      Progressive ConservativeBill Clarke4,1128.28-8.59$12,355
      New DemocraticLoretta Woodcock2,5955.22-4.81$10,844
      GreenDoug Warkentin1,4342.88+0.30$16,556
      Canadian ActionChris Shaw3900.78–$5,683
      Natural LawSteven Beck1260.25-0.22
      Marxist–LeninistAnne Jamieson1090.21-0.09$18
      Total valid votes 49,632100.0  
      Total rejected ballots 1940.40
      Turnout 49,82663.34-4.32
      Liberal hold Swing -3.61
      Change for the Canadian Alliance is based on the Reform Party.

      References

      1. "Election 2011: Delta—Richmond East". The Globe and Mail. May 2, 2011. Archived from the original on September 4, 2011.
      2. Rice, Eric (September 1997). "Kerry-Lynne Findlay, President of the B.C. branch of the Canadian Bar Association" (PDF). The Advocate. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
      3. "Hon. Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay". Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
      4. "Minister of Justice Announces Two Appointments to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal" (Press release). Office of the Minister of Justice. September 18, 2006. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
      5. "Musqueam leaseholders' activist wins Alliance nomination". CBC News. October 18, 2000. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
      6. "Profile – Findlay, Kerry-Lynne D." Library of Parliament. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
      7. "Substitute B.C. Conservative also had money woes". CBC News. March 25, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
      8. "MPs named to help choose new Supreme Court justice". CTV News. August 8, 2012. Archived from the original on August 13, 2012. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
      9. "PM Harper shuffles cabinet to fill aboriginal affairs gap". CBC News. February 22, 2013. Archived from the original on March 19, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
      10. "Delta-Richmond East MP lands backbench role in Harper cabinet re-shuffle". Richmond News. July 15, 2013. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
      11. "Conservatives Kerry-Lynne Findlay and Andrew Saxton defeated". CBC News. October 19, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
      12. "Conservatives choose Findlay for South Surrey-White Rock run". Peace Arch News. November 13, 2017. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
      13. "Liberals win 3 of 4 federal byelections, nab seat from Tories in B.C." CBC News. December 12, 2017. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
      14. "Federal election 2019 live results". Archived from the original on October 22, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
      15. Breen, Kerri (August 29, 2020). "B.C. Tory MP deletes tweet on 'closeness' of George Soros, Chrystia Freeland". Global News. Corus Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 29, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
      16. House of Commons (June 2, 2021). "2nd reading of Bill C-233, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (sex-selective abortion)". LEGISinfo. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
      17. Maxwell, Jessica (September 21, 2021). "Canada election results: South Surrey–White Rock". Global News. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
      18. Browne, Alex (February 2, 2022). "South Surrey-White Rock MP makes bid for interim Conservative Party leadership". Peace Arch News. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
      19. Aziz, Saba (February 2, 2022). "Conservatives elect Candice Bergen as interim party leader". Global News. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
      20. "Poilievre unveils House of Commons leadership team that includes two LGBT MPs". ca.news.yahoo.com. September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
      21. Browne, Alex (September 28, 2022). "South Surrey-White Rock MP Findlay appointed chief Opposition whip". Peace Arch News. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
      22. "Did a BC MLA's Past Racist Comments Sink a Conservative MP?". The Tyee. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
      23. Shaw, Rob (May 20, 2026). "Rob Shaw: Kerry-Lynne Findlay facing federal election probe". Business in Vancouver. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
      24. DeRosa, Katie (May 25, 2026). "B.C. Tory leadership hopeful Kerry-Lynne Findlay says she hasn't been notified of elections investigation". CBC News.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
      25. Jäger, Jarryd (January 30, 2026). "Kerry-Lynne Findlay officially launches BC Conservative leadership campaign. The former MP argued the race was between a "reliable Conservative, or a Liberal takeover."". Western Standard. Retrieved January 30, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
      26. Jussinoja, Kaija (May 31, 2026). "Former MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay elected leader of B.C. Conservatives". CTVNews. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
      27. "Kerry-Lynne Findlay voted new leader of the BC Conservative Party | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
      28. DeRosa, Katie (May 31, 2026). "B.C. Conservative caucus shows united front with new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay".{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
      29. LeBrun, Luke (October 10, 2024). "BC Conservative Candidate Called For 'Boycott' of Air Canada to Stop Airlifts Rescuing Syrian Refugees". PressProgress. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
      30. Jussinoja, Kaija (October 19, 2024). "Controversial candidate Brent Chapman wins Surrey South riding". CTV News. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
      31. "2016 Convention Distinguished Citizen – Kerry-Lynne Findlay". Vimeo. August 24, 2016. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
      32. "Have you been bankrupt? You could become Minister of National Revenue | David McKie". www.davidmckie.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
      33. "Forty-fifth General Election 2025: Poll-by-poll results". Elections Canada. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
      34. "Voter information service". Elections Canada. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
      35. "Election Night Results - Electoral Districts". Elections Canada. April 29, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
      36. "List of confirmed candidates – September 20, 2021 Federal Election". Elections Canada. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
      37. Canada, Elections. "Election Night Results - Electoral Districts". enr.elections.ca. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
      38. "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
      39. "Election Night Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
      40. Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Delta, 30 September 2015
      41. Official Voting Results - Delta
      42. "Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates". Archived from the original on August 15, 2015.