After the big blue wave in the provincial election last fall, an Okanagan MLA walked away from the BC Conservatives and her fellow MLAs in neighbouring ridings are standing firm behind the party.

Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong left the Conservative Party of BC to sit as an Independent in support MLA Dallas Brodie who was kicked out of the party for mocking survivors of residential schools.

Penticton-Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee took to social media to support the move to oust Brodie and Kelowna Centre MLA Kristina Loewen is taking over for Armstrong as the critic for social development and poverty reduction.

Boultbee said for what it’s worth, she remains confident in the caucus.

“Watching us pass policies, a new constitution and a whole new modern board at the AGM is the proof in the pudding,” she said in a post to social media. “It was an unequivocal huge success and confirmation of the confidence we have in John (Rustad). If a few stragglers don’t share that enthusiasm they are free to leave. Politics is a team sport.”

Boultbee also categorically denounced Brodie’s statements about residential schools and completely supports Rustad’s decision.

“Ms. Brodie’s statements are abhorrent and have no place in the BC Conservative caucus. This is not a matter of crusading for truth. This is a matter of the privileged position enjoyed by MLAs, and the importance of fostering respectful dialogue with our First Nations friends and neighbours,” she said.

Loewen’s appointment as critic for social development was announced in a press release, March 12, that made no mention of Armstrong or Brodie.

“British Columbians are struggling under the weight of skyrocketing costs, and it is clear that this government has failed to address the growing poverty crisis in our province,” Loewen said in the release. “As critic for social development and poverty reduction, I will work to push for real solutions that support individuals and families who need it most. We need policies that empower people, not more government red tape and mismanagement.”

There’s an online petition demanding Armstrong resign from office, but it won’t have any legal bearing. An official recall petition can’t be started until 18 months after a general election.

Neither Boultbee or Loewen were immediately available for comment.