BC MLA switches parties
Former BC Conservative MLA Amelia Boultbee joins NDP, shifting provincial seat count
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British Columbia Conservative MLA Amelia Boultbee has crossed the floor to join the New Democratic Party caucus, a rare and controversial move in Canadian politics. Boultbee was elected as a Conservative in the 2024 provincial election but resigned from the party in 2025 to first sit as an independent before joining the NDP, according to Kelowna Capital News.
Her switch brings the NDP's seat count to 48 in the 93-seat legislature. The move has sparked fierce debate about whether elected officials who change parties owe voters a by-election, West K News reported.
Why Boultbee Walked Away From the Conservatives
Boultbee grew increasingly unhappy with the direction of the BC Conservatives. She took particular issue with the party's leadership under Kerry-Lynne Findlay, according to Eagle Valley News. Tensions inside the caucus had been building for some time before she made her exit.
She first resigned from the Conservative caucus to sit as an independent — a middle step before formally joining the NDP. That two-stage move gave her some political cover. It also gave the NDP time to welcome her on their own terms, Keremeos Review noted.
Boultbee's Switch Shifts the Legislature's Balance
The BC legislature has 93 seats. The NDP now holds 48 of them after Boultbee's move. That is a meaningful gain for Premier David Eby's government. Seat counts had already been shifting since the 2024 election, West K News reported.
A single seat can matter in a tight legislature. Having 48 seats does not give the NDP a majority on its own, but it strengthens their position. Every added vote reduces the opposition's ability to block government legislation.
Critics Say She Should Face Voters Again in a By-Election
Many critics argue Boultbee should not simply take her seat in the NDP caucus. They say she was elected as a Conservative. Her constituents voted for that party, not the NDP. Some have called on her to resign her seat and run again under the NDP banner in a by-election, according to Eagle Valley News.
This debate is not new in Canada. Floor crossings — when an elected member switches parties — have long angered voters who feel their choice is being ignored. There is no law in BC forcing a by-election when an MLA changes parties. The decision is entirely up to the member.
A Long Road That Rarely Ends Well for the Crosser
Floor crossings are politically risky. History shows that members who cross the floor often face a tough reception — from both their new colleagues and the voters back home. Public trust can be hard to rebuild, Keremeos Review reported.
Boultbee's path — from Conservative to independent to NDP — was longer than most. That step-by-step approach may have softened the blow slightly. But she will still need to win over her constituents if she hopes to hold her seat in the next election.
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