former b.c. conservative mla amelia boultbee joins b.c. ndp
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penticton-summerland mla amelia boultbee had left the b.c. conservative caucus in 2024 and was sitting as an independent before joining the b.c. ndp.
former b.c. conservative mla amelia boultbee has found her way across the political divide, giving up her status as an independent to join the b.c. ndp.
b.c. ndp leader and premier david eby’s newest recruit was announced friday.
“i’m a fourth-generation pentictonite, and i got into politics to serve my community,” boultbee said in a statement.
“when i think about who’s best positioned to make a difference for people in penticton, summerland, and the whole province, my confidence is with david eby and the b.c. ndp.”
the penticton-summerland mla said joining eby’s party was a matter of seeking solutions for “generational challenges that are decades in the making” such as housing affordability and a health care worker shortage.
“taking on these challenges requires leadership that’s thoughtful and determined, and that’s why i’m joining david and his amazing team of b.c. ndp mlas,” she said.
boultbee was first elected with the b.c. conservatives in 2024 but left the following year, citing “the unravelling of john rustad” as the reason for her exit. she accused the tory party leader of intimidating his mlas, potentially being involved in improper memberships during this summer’s leadership review and of trying to prevent his caucus from holding a vote on his position.
in response, rustad reportedly told mlas that if they didn’t like his leadership, they can get out. he accused boultbee of leaking internal caucus information and suggested she didn’t align with the party’s views.
boultbee had been sitting as an independent mla since her departure.
“i was impressed with the courage amelia showed in standing up for principle and leaving the b.c. conservatives. since then, she’s been a fierce independent voice for the people in penticton and summerland, said eby in a statement friday.
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“i know her advocacy will continue in our caucus as we work together to strengthen health care, bring housing costs down, and keep our economy moving forward.”
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