Aisha Estey out as B.C. Conservative president as shakeup continues

VANCOUVER – British Columbia’s Opposition Conservatives have replaced president Aisha Estey, continuing a transformation under new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay that an analyst says has little precedent.

Since narrowly winning the leadership in May, Findlay has seen off the party’s executive director, other senior party and caucus staff, and former rival Peter Milobar, who left the party  last week to sit as an Independent.

The party’s constitution does not require an election to replace executives, and it has allowed Findlay to make sweeping changes not often seen in B.C. politics, said University of British Columbia political science lecturer Stewart Prest.

“I’m trying to think of another example like it, and honestly I can’t think of one,” Prest said. “It feels something more like a takeover of a party than an evolution of a party.”

The result, Prest said, is a party very different from the one that came to the brink of power in the 2024 provincial election, when it won 44 seats in the 93-seat legislature. A series of defections and exits on both its right and left flanks has seen the caucus whittled down to 37.

Estey had been the B.C. Conservatives’ president for almost five years, including the period when it went from a fringe organization to contending for power.

Former federal Conservative candidate Mauro Francis is the new president. Vice-president Sharon White is also leaving the party board, replaced by Pavneet Singh.

Estey said Thursday on social media that she was stepping away to “make room for new opportunities.” Estey’s statement thanked Francis but did not mention Findlay.

“It was an honour to serve the party and be a part of its incredible growth,” Estey said in the statement. “I’m deeply grateful for all the lessons and friendships I get to walk away with.

“I will always be rooting for this party to win government so we can get our beautiful province back on track.”

Findlay’s leadership win has been followed by a shift to the right, the departure of former executive director Angelo Isidorou last month, and the exit of Milobar, who cited a lack of “ideological alignment” with Findlay.

Prest said that the incumbent New Democrats are unpopular, but Findlay appears to be taking the “hard road” to winning the next B.C. election.

“An opposition party that can present itself as a kind of big-tent alternative, where many from (different) viewpoints are welcome, is relatively well positioned to bring down an unpopular incumbent government, one that is long in the tooth,” Prest said. “That’s basically the B.C. NDP at this point.

“But what the B.C. Conservatives are doing with all these changes is making sure that the story stays focused on them and what they represent, and continues to create uncertainty about what this party represents.”

However, Royal Roads University political communication professor David Black, said Francis supported Findlay’s leadership opponent Caroline Elliott, and his appointment as president may be an attempt by Findlay to “course-correct to move a little bit more to the centre.”

“The B.C. Conservatives have had more bad news stories than good since Findlay’s election,” Black said. “And I think she’s trying to stabilize, fine-tune the party ideologically and take aim at what is a very vulnerable B.C. NDP government.

“For the B.C. Conservatives, they have a more difficult time of containing their internal divisions, again, in part because this new populist conservatism is opposed to traditional conservatism in general. That’s not a problem that the B.C. NDP has to confront.”

Findlay thanked Estey and White for their efforts on the board.

“A big thank you to Aisha Estey for everything she has done for the Conservative Party of British Columbia,” Findlay’s statement said. 

“Her commitment and dedication have made a real difference, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside her.”

Francis said in a statement that he was “honoured” to take on the new role and anticipated “a lot of positive work.”

Findlay, a former MP who does not have a seat in the B.C. legislature, won the party leadership with 51 per cent of member votes after four rounds of balloting, defeating commentator Elliott who had 49 per cent of the votes. 

Prest said Findlay’s lack of a seat in the legislature is the next big issue she faces.

Findlay’s husband Brent Chapman sits in the legislature but there’s been no indication he’ll vacate it.

“Her husband effectively could step aside at any moment and solve this issue for her, but clearly they see themselves as a team, as a core of this iteration of the B.C. Conservative Party,” Prest said.

“So pressure will start to build for Mr. Chapman to step aside and to allow Ms. Findlay to be leader. 

“As long as the leader is outside of the legislature, she is working with one hand tied behind her back.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20, 2026.