British Columbia MLA Teresa Wat has become the sixth legislator to join OneBC, a new political party formed by former members of the B.C. Conservative caucus, further reshaping the province’s opposition landscape.
Wat, who represents Richmond-Bridgeport, was originally elected as a member of the B.C. Liberal Party and later crossed the floor to join the B.C. Conservatives in 2024. She subsequently left the Conservative caucus to sit as an independent before joining the new political group.
Her move adds to a growing wave of defections from the B.C. Conservatives and strengthens the emerging OneBC party, which is being built by former Conservative legislators dissatisfied with the direction of the party.
The latest departures highlight continuing divisions within B.C.’s conservative political movement. The B.C. Conservatives had emerged as the province’s principal opposition force after the 2024 election, but internal disagreements have since led to several MLAs leaving the caucus or being removed from it.
Wat’s political career includes more than a decade in the B.C. legislature. She was first elected in 2013 and served in the provincial government, including roles connected to international trade, multiculturalism and the Asia-Pacific strategy.
Her decision to join OneBC could have broader implications for the balance of power in the legislature as the new party seeks to establish itself ahead of the next provincial election.
The formation of OneBC comes as B.C.’s opposition landscape undergoes significant change. Former Conservative MLAs have been attempting to build a new political platform while the remaining Conservative caucus works to maintain its position as a major opposition force.
For voters, the developments could lead to a more fragmented conservative field, potentially affecting future candidate nominations, election campaigns and efforts to challenge the governing B.C. NDP.
Wat’s defection is therefore more than an individual party switch. It is another sign of the continuing political realignment in British Columbia, with former allies now taking different paths as new parties compete for support across the province.
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