Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservative caucus, says he and Peter Milobar plan new party

Delta South MLA Ian Paton has left the B.C. Conservative caucus and says he intends to establish a new provincial party with Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar.

Paton announced Monday that he would sit as an independent alongside Milobar, who left the Conservative caucus Aug. 14. Paton said the party’s direction under leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay “is no longer aligned with my beliefs.”

Paton said he joined the Conservatives in 2024 because he believed the party could become a broad coalition committed to fiscally disciplined, pro-enterprise government and economic growth. He said his first responsibility is to the people of Delta South rather than to a political party.

“I was elected to represent Delta South in Victoria,” Paton said. “I was not elected to simply represent a political party in Delta South.”

Paton said he and Milobar intend to create a party for British Columbians who feel “politically homeless” and to oppose the governing NDP. His written statement did not disclose a party name, leadership structure, platform or launch date.

Both Paton and Milobar previously served as B.C. Liberal and BC United MLAs. The Conservatives welcomed them to the party in September 2024 after BC United withdrew its province-wide election campaign.

Paton has represented Delta South since 2017. Milobar was first elected that year in Kamloops–North Thompson and was elected in the newly created Kamloops Centre riding in 2024.

Milobar ran against Findlay in the 2026 Conservative leadership race, finishing fifth on the first ballot with 10.5 per cent of the points. Findlay defeated Caroline Elliott by a 51-to-49 margin on the fourth ballot, while Paton had publicly supported Milobar’s leadership campaign.

Following the leadership race, Paton was appointed the party’s Lower Mainland lieutenant and agriculture critic. Milobar served as finance critic.

Paton’s departure differs from the position he expressed July 30, when he stepped down as Lower Mainland lieutenant. At the time, he cited his duties as Delta South MLA and agriculture critic, the demands of running his farm and a desire to spend more time with his family.

Paton said then that his decision had nothing to do with disagreement or dissatisfaction with the party. He also said Findlay had his full support.

Findlay said Monday that she was disappointed by Paton’s decision but thanked him for his contributions to the caucus. Paton is the second MLA to leave the Conservative caucus in ten days, following Milobar’s Aug. 14 departure.

At the latest check Monday, the Legislative Assembly’s public standings continued to list 39 Conservatives and five independents and had not yet incorporated Paton’s departure. Moving Paton alone would change those figures to 38 Conservatives and six independents.

The standings could change again if Abbotsford–Mission MLA Reann Gasper’s planned resignation becomes legally effective. The Conservatives announced Saturday that Gasper had informed the Speaker of her decision to step down, creating an opportunity for Findlay, who does not currently hold a seat, to seek the party’s nomination in a subsequent byelection.

The party’s announcement did not provide an effective resignation date, and the Legislature’s public records continued to list Gasper as an MLA at the latest check. Under B.C.’s Constitution Act, an MLA’s resignation takes effect when the member declares it in the legislature or delivers a signed resignation, attested by two witnesses, to the Speaker.

The Constitution Act defines a recognized political party as a political organization primarily formed to field candidates and represented in the legislature by at least two MLAs. If Paton and Milobar formally establish such an organization, it could qualify for recognition, although the Legislature has not announced any recognition of the proposed party.

No party associated with Paton and Milobar appeared on Elections BC’s list of registered political parties dated Aug. 24. The list continued to include BC United, OneBC and CentreBC.

CentreBC is led by former education minister Mike Bernier and describes itself as a socially progressive, fiscally responsible alternative to the NDP and B.C. Conservatives. Paton and Milobar have not said how their proposed organization would differ from other parties seeking support from centrist voters.

Paton said he would provide more information in the coming days. His written announcement did not say when the proposed organization would apply for registration with Elections BC or seek recognition in the legislature.