Former Conservative Party of BC MLA Amelia Boultbee announced on Friday morning that she is joining the BC NDP.
The Penticton-Summerland MLA left the B.C. Conservative caucus in October 2025 and has sat as an independent since.
“As a fourth-generation Pentictonite, I got into politics because I wanted to serve my community,” Boultbee said on Friday.
“Everything and everyone I love the most in this world is between Okanagan and Skaha Lake. And for the last two years, it’s been the honor of my life to serve the people of Penticton- Summerland.”
Boultbee said it is a crucial time in British Columbia, with the province facing generational challenges that have developed over decades.
“A long-standing housing affordability crisis, a national health-care worker shortage, and economic uncertainty, compounded by a trade attack on our country and war in the Middle East that’s driving up prices,” she added.
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“These challenges impact people in Penticton-Summerland and in every community in our province. Solving them calls for leadership that’s thoughtful, principled, and determined. And when I think about who is best positioned to do this work, my confidence is with this premier and this caucus. And that is why I am very proud to announce that I’m joining the BCNDP.”
Amelia showed real courage leaving the extreme BC Conservatives — and since has been a fierce independent voice for her constituents.
Today’s she’s joining our BC NDP team, where we’re focused on healthcare, housing costs and getting big projects built.
Welcome, Amelia. pic.twitter.com/iQRSNkmb4P
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) July 3, 2026
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When Boultbee left the BC Conservative Party, she said she made her decision based on the actions of then-B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad.
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“Over the past weeks and months I have witnessed the unravelling of John Rustad, from concerns of cheating to his conduct during caucus meetings,” Boultbee said at the time.
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Rustad previously kicked out two of his MLAs, Dallas Brodie and Elenore Sturko, while two others, Tara Armstrong and Jordan Kealy, quit the party.
When asked about crossing the floor, B.C. Premier David Eby said he thinks it’s important for people to remember that Boultbee was not a BC Conservative for very long.
“She quickly spoke out about some of the concerns she had and what she saw in the BC Conservative Party and has sat as an independent for the last little while,” he said.
“I think that’s given us all an opportunity to know her and know her work and her values. She is a fierce advocate, I know, because I have occasionally been the target of it. But at its heart, that advocacy is around delivering for her constituents, which are the values of all of the MLAs that stand behind me, and why I think she’ll be a good fit with our party.”
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