--- title: "Ian Paton: candidate for MLA in Delta South, BC provincial 2026 | voche.me" canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/ian-paton" last_updated: "2026-10-10T04:03:42.262Z" meta: description: "Ian Paton is the sitting MLA for Delta South, first elected in 2017, and the Conservative Party of BC candidate on Elections BC's list printed October 3, 2..." "og:description": "Ian Paton is the sitting MLA for Delta South, first elected in 2017, and the Conservative Party of BC candidate on Elections BC's list printed October 3, 2..." "og:title": "Ian Paton: candidate for MLA in Delta South, BC provincial 2026" "twitter:description": "Ian Paton is the sitting MLA for Delta South, first elected in 2017, and the Conservative Party of BC candidate on Elections BC's list printed October 3, 2..." "twitter:title": "Ian Paton: candidate for MLA in Delta South, BC provincial 2026" --- ** MLA in Delta South · BC provincial 2026 # Ian Paton MLA for Delta South since 2017, running as the Conservative Party of BC candidate. Ian Paton is the sitting MLA for Delta South, first elected in 2017, and the Conservative Party of BC candidate on Elections BC's list printed October 3, 2026. The legislature's member record lists his party as Independent. News reports say he left the Conservative caucus on August 24, joined CentreBC on September 18 and returned to the Conservatives on September 22. In the 2026 sittings he spoke most on farming, the cancelled Delta long-term-care project and the budget, and the vote index lists him voting no on the budget bills. Explore the record Public schedule Researched by voche.me · Not a campaign-authored page Conservative Party of BC2026 ![Ian Paton, from the Conservative Party of BC candidate page.](https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/images/candidates/ian-paton-640.webp) *Ian PatonMLAv.* [Image: Conservative Party of BC campaign](https://conservativebc.ca/mla/ian-paton/) Candidate research / October 3, 2026 A researched record of Ian Paton's 9 commitments, 30 dated actions and 19 public statements, with 7 news items and 1 public dispute. Most come from the legislature record and from news reports of his move between parties. **9**Commitments **30**Programs **7**News articles **44**Sources Public schedule / Through election day ## Where can you hear Ian Paton? No campaign event for Ian Paton was found on 2026-10-03. The dates below are voting days. Checked October 3, 2026 · All event times are Pacific time. Recheck the organizer before travelling. - [2026 provincial general election: key dates](https://elections.bc.ca/2026-provincial-election/)Official record · Elections BC
View every date through Oct 24 1. Oct 9No appearance confirmed 2. Oct 10No appearance confirmed 3. Oct 11No appearance confirmed 4. Oct 12No appearance confirmed 5. Oct 13No appearance confirmed 6. Oct 14No appearance confirmed 7. Oct 15No appearance confirmed 8. Oct 16Voting day 9. Oct 17No appearance confirmed 10. Oct 18No appearance confirmed 11. Oct 19No appearance confirmed 12. Oct 20No appearance confirmed 13. Oct 21No appearance confirmed 14. Oct 22No appearance confirmed 15. Oct 23No appearance confirmed 16. Oct 24Voting day
### Voting dates - Oct 16Advance voting begins - Oct 24General voting day At official British Columbia voting places. These dates apply to every voter and are not candidate appearances. [Find your voting place](https://elections.bc.ca/2026-provincial-election/where-to-vote/) - [2026 provincial general election: key dates](https://elections.bc.ca/2026-provincial-election/)Official record · Elections BC On dates without a confirmed appearance the public schedule is unknown; the candidate may still have activities that day. This static page changes only when its research is updated. 01 / Introduction ## About Ian Paton Ian Paton is the Conservative Party of BC candidate in Delta South on Elections BC's candidate list, which prints the date October 3, 2026. The Elections BC statement of votes shows that he won Delta South in 2024 with 14,491 votes, 55.07% of the valid vote, ahead of Jason McCormick of the BC NDP with 11,822 votes, 44.93%. The statement marks him as a member of the 42nd Parliament, so he was already the sitting member. The legislature's member record lists him as elected in 2017, 2020 and 2024, and CBC describes him as a former B.C. Liberal and says he was elected in 2017. The records differ on his party. The Conservative Party of BC's team page lists him as its candidate for Delta South. The legislature's member record lists his party in the 43rd Parliament as Independent. Reporting says that on August 24, 2026 he left the Conservative caucus (the group of Conservative MLAs) to sit as an Independent, that CentreBC announced him on September 18 among eight former Conservative MLAs joining it, and that on September 22, the day Premier David Eby called the election, he returned to the Conservatives with Peter Milobar and others. voche.me found no source that states a reason for the return, so none is given. The reason he gave for leaving is in his own statement, in the dossier below. The Conservative Party of BC's page for him says he lives on his family farm in Delta, has more than 30 years of experience running a dairy farm and a farm auction business, and was elected a Delta councillor in 2010. Those lines are the party's own account, and voche.me has not checked them with the District of Delta. In the legislature on April 14, 2026 he said he returned to dairy farming in 1985. He was the Conservative caucus's agriculture critic, the Opposition member who questions the Agriculture minister, until at least August 24, 2026. In 2026 the speech index lists him on the Agricultural Land Commission, production insurance, the review of the Agriculture ministry's budget, the long-term-care project in Delta, Bill 9 on freedom of information, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, the Westham Island Bridge and the budget. On August 24, 2026 he said that Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay's office had offered him a job if he gave up his seat. Findlay disputes this. The claim is his and the denial is hers. Neither is an official finding, and the accountability section gives each side. Read the sources Promises / Commitments and evidence ## Commitments and the available evidence. Published positions and selected commitments, separated by election cycle. Status labels describe the evidence reviewed, not a numerical score or a complete audit of the platform. Council approval is different from delivery. 9 commitments shown · Checked Oct 3 2026 · Public servicesNot established ### Restart the Beedie long-term-care centre in Delta On April 29, 2026 Paton asked the Minister of Infrastructure in question period when the cancelled Delta long-term-care project will start again. On February 26 he had described the Beedie centre as a 200-bed facility for Delta seniors. On April 30 he told reporters that, from what he understands, the project is cancelled.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
Minister Bowinn Ma answered on April 29 that the project at Delta will continue and that work with Fraser Health to bring down the cost per bed is underway. She called the project re-paced (the government's word for rescheduled) and said re-paced projects had cost estimates of up to $1.8 million per bed. The Surrey Now-Leader reported on April 30 that a Fraser Health memo confirms the construction contract was cancelled. Neither Paton nor the minister gave a restart date in the sources voche.me opened.
What still needs checking
Does the Province publish a restart date and a cost per bed for the Delta project?
- [Debates of February 26, 2026 (morning): statement on Westham Island, question on the Delta long-term-care project, vote on the budget motion](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260226am-Hansard-n126.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of April 29, 2026 (afternoon): question period, long-term-care project in Delta](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260429pm-Hansard-n167.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of May 4, 2026 (afternoon): question period, long-term-care project in Delta](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260504pm-Hansard-n171.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Construction contract cancelled for Delta long-term care project](https://surreynowleader.com/2026/04/30/breaking-construction-contract-cancelled-for-delta-long-term-care-project/)Reporting · Surrey Now-Leader (Black Press Media) - [Ian Paton on X, post of April 29, 2026 on the Beedie Long Term Care project](https://x.com/IanPatonDelta/status/2049606696650359109)Campaign · X 2026 · EconomyCampaign pledge ### Increase Agricultural Land Commission funding In the budget debate on February 19, 2026 Paton said the Agricultural Land Commission's operating budget has stayed at $5.5 million for several years and that the province must increase it to keep pace with inflation and workload. On April 14 and 15 he asked the minister where six staff cuts at the commission would fall.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
He names the current figure of $5.5 million and asks for an increase. He gives no new amount and no date.
What still needs checking
Does Paton or the Conservative Party state an amount and a date for a larger commission budget?
- [Debates of February 19, 2026 (afternoon): budget debate speech](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260219pm-Hansard-n120.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of April 14, 2026 (afternoon): Agriculture ministry budget review](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260414pm-Hansard-n152.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of April 15, 2026 (afternoon): Agriculture ministry budget review, second day](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260415pm-Hansard-n153.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard 2026 · GovernanceNot established ### Delay Bill 9 on freedom of information by six months On May 6, 2026 Paton spoke for an amendment that would delay second reading of Bill 9, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026, by six months. The debate ran past 1 a.m. on May 7. He said the time would let the House match the bill to the 2022 committee review of the act.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
The Speaker put the amendment to a vote when the debate reached its time limit at 3 a.m. The vote ran from 3:05 a.m. to 3:10 a.m. and the amendment failed, 42 to 48. The vote index lists Paton voting yes on the amendment, no at second reading on May 6, and no at third reading on May 28.
What still needs checking
Does Paton or the Conservative Party say what they would change in the act if elected?
- [Debates of May 6, 2026 (afternoon and overnight): Bill 9 (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026)](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260506pm-Hansard-n174.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard 2026 · ClimateCampaign pledge ### Fund the B.C. flood strategy On April 20, 2026, in the review of the Emergency Management and Climate Readiness ministry's budget, Paton said the 2026 budget holds no new money for flood prevention. He asked when the flood strategy will be funded.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
He says the strategy is ready to be funded. He gives no amount and no date.
What still needs checking
Does Paton or the Conservative Party state an amount and a date for the flood strategy?
- [Debates of April 20, 2026 (afternoon): Emergency Management and Climate Readiness ministry budget review](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260420pm-Hansard-n157.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard 2026 · EconomyCampaign pledge ### Remove interprovincial trade barriers for farm products On February 26, 2026, speaking on Bill 5, the Trade Recognition Act, Paton said it is time to finish removing interprovincial trade barriers. He listed meat inspection rules, trucking rules, packaging rules and wine and beer sales between provinces. On March 5 he asked the minister whether the bill would let B.C. wine and beer move freely to other provinces.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
He gives no measure of his own beyond support for the bill. He cites an estimated cost of $1.7 billion a year to the agriculture sector. The speeches give no source for the estimate.
What still needs checking
What trade rule would Paton change first, and by what date?
- [Debates of February 26, 2026 (afternoon): Bill 5 (Trade Recognition Act), second reading debate and division on Bill 3](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260226pm-Hansard-n127.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of March 5, 2026 (afternoon): Bill 5 committee questions and third reading division on Bill 3](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260305pm-Hansard-n134.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard 2026 · EconomyCampaign pledge ### A plan to end the deficit and tie spending growth to economic growth In the budget debate on February 19, 2026 Paton criticized the projected deficit and the growth of provincial debt. He said the path forward needs a credible plan to eliminate structural deficits (a gap between spending and revenue that continues year after year) and spending growth tied to economic growth.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
He names no deficit target, no tax change and no spending cut of his own in this speech. The Conservative platform page read on 2026-10-03 lists 17 headings with one-line descriptions and no budget figures.
What still needs checking
Does the Conservative Party publish a costed budget plan before October 24, 2026?
- [Debates of February 19, 2026 (afternoon): budget debate speech](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260219pm-Hansard-n120.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Our Platform, Conservative Party of BC](https://conservativebc.ca/our-platform/)Campaign · Conservative Party of BC 2026 · EconomyCampaign pledge ### Change the 50 percent rule for food processing on farmland In the Agriculture ministry's budget review on April 14, 2026 Paton asked the minister whether she sees a future for food processing on the Agricultural Land Reserve and for removing the 50-50 rule. He said the rule discourages farmers from starting processing plants. He said he does not want processing plants on good farmland and that poor-quality parts of the reserve could be used.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
He asks the minister and states no bill or date of his own. He names no sites.
What still needs checking
What share of home-grown product, if any, would Paton set in place of the current rule?
- [Debates of April 14, 2026 (afternoon): Agriculture ministry budget review](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260414pm-Hansard-n152.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard 2026 · ChildcareCampaign pledge ### More licensed child care spaces in Delta South In the budget debate on February 19, 2026 Paton said the provincial directory lists one $10-a-day child care location for all of Delta South and that parents need a space for their child now.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
He states no number of spaces to be added and no date.
What still needs checking
Does Paton or the Conservative Party state how many child care spaces they would add in Delta South?
- [Debates of February 19, 2026 (afternoon): budget debate speech](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260219pm-Hansard-n120.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard 2026 · EconomyCampaign pledge ### Party platform heading: Grown in BC The Conservative Party of BC platform page lists a heading, Grown in BC, described as a plan to double food production, strengthen the economic base and establish food security for B.C.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
This is the party's text. The page gives no detail under the heading and names no candidate. voche.me found no statement by Paton in 2026 that repeats the plan to double food production.
What still needs checking
Does the party publish the full Grown in BC plan, and does Paton repeat it?
- [Our Platform, Conservative Party of BC](https://conservativebc.ca/our-platform/)Campaign · Conservative Party of BC City programs / Scope and delivery ## Policies, budgets & programs Recorded votes and actions in the legislature where an official source names him. A government program is the government's; it is listed here only where the record names him or he asked about it. voche.me read no bill text. Each vote entry says what was opened. Feb 26Recorded vote, no ### Voted no on the motion that sends the budget to the review of ministry spending The 2026 vote index lists Paton voting nay on the budget motion. The transcript records a tie of 46 to 46, and the Speaker voted in favour, so the motion passed.
Scope, limits and sources The Speaker said the motion was a confidence matter, which is a vote that tests whether the government still has the support of the House, and that the Chair's vote should not decide that alone. The motion was that the Speaker leave the Chair for the House to go into Committee of Supply, where each ministry's spending is reviewed.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of February 26, 2026 (morning): statement on Westham Island, question on the Delta long-term-care project, vote on the budget motion](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260226am-Hansard-n126.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Feb 26Recorded vote, no ### Voted no on second reading of the Budget Measures Implementation Act (No. 2), 2026 (Bill 3) The vote index lists Paton voting nay at second reading, which is the vote on the main idea of the bill. The transcript records the result as 48 to 43.
Scope, limits and sources By its title the bill carries out measures in the 2026 budget. voche.me did not open the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of February 26, 2026 (afternoon): Bill 5 (Trade Recognition Act), second reading debate and division on Bill 3](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260226pm-Hansard-n127.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Mar 5Recorded vote, no ### Voted no on third reading of the Budget Measures Implementation Act (No. 2), 2026 (Bill 3) The vote index lists Paton voting nay at third reading, which is the final vote on a bill. The transcript records the result as 46 to 42.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of March 5, 2026 (afternoon): Bill 5 committee questions and third reading division on Bill 3](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260305pm-Hansard-n134.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Mar 9Recorded vote, no ### Voted no on second reading of the Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2026 (Bill 2) The vote index lists Paton voting nay at second reading of Bill 2.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me opened the vote index for this vote and not the transcript or the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 1Recorded vote, no ### Voted no on third reading of the Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2026 (Bill 2) The vote index lists Paton voting nay at third reading of Bill 2.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me opened the vote index for this vote and not the transcript or the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard May 28Recorded vote, no ### Voted no on third reading of the Supply Act, 2026-2027 (Bill 22) The vote index lists Paton voting nay at third reading of Bill 22.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me opened the vote index for this vote and not the transcript or the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard May 6Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes on the amendment to delay second reading of Bill 9 by six months The vote index lists Paton voting yea on the amendment, and the transcript records that it failed, 42 to 48. The vote came at 3:10 a.m. on May 7, during the sitting that began on May 6.
Scope, limits and sources Earlier in the same sitting the vote index lists Paton voting nay on the government motion that set 3 a.m. as the time to end debate on Bill 9. That motion passed 48 to 41.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of May 6, 2026 (afternoon and overnight): Bill 9 (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026)](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260506pm-Hansard-n174.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard May 6Recorded vote, no ### Voted no on second reading of Bill 9, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026 The vote index lists Paton voting nay at second reading, which passed 48 to 42. The vote index also lists nay votes on the motion to send the bill to the Committee of the Whole House (the stage where the House goes through a bill clause by clause) on May 6, and on clause 7 on May 21.
Scope, limits and sources The index also lists nay votes on an amendment to clause 2 moved by Diana Gibson on May 21 and on an amendment to clause 13 moved by Gibson on May 26.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of May 6, 2026 (afternoon and overnight): Bill 9 (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026)](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260506pm-Hansard-n174.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard May 28Recorded vote, no ### Voted no on third reading of Bill 9 The vote index lists Paton voting nay at third reading of Bill 9.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me opened the vote index for this vote and not the transcript of May 28.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 21Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes on third reading of the Forests Statutes Amendment Act, 2026 (Bill 14) The vote index lists Paton voting yea at third reading of Bill 14.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard May 20Recorded votes, yes and no ### Votes on second reading of the K'ómoks Treaty Act (Bill 20) The vote index lists Paton voting yea on an amendment to second reading moved by Misty Van Popta, and nay at second reading itself.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not find a statement by Paton on this bill and did not open the transcript of May 20.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard May 28Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes on third reading of the K'ómoks Treaty Act (Bill 20) The vote index lists Paton voting yea at third reading of Bill 20.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not find a statement by Paton on this bill and did not open the transcript of May 28.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 22Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes at first reading of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Repeal Act The vote index lists Paton voting yea at first reading, which is the vote to bring a bill into the House. The transcript records that the motion failed, 44 to 47.
Scope, limits and sources Trevor Halford, who introduced the bill, said its purpose was to repeal the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of April 22, 2026 (afternoon): petition on aerial spraying and first reading vote on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Repeal Act](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260422pm-Hansard-n160.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Mar 12Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes at first reading of the Defunding Aboriginal Title Claims Affecting Private Property Act The vote index lists Paton voting yea at first reading.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the transcript or the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Feb 26Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes at first reading of the Human Rights Code Repeal Act The vote index lists Paton voting yea at first reading. The transcript records that the motion failed, 37 to 50.
Scope, limits and sources The member who introduced the bill said it would abolish the Human Rights Tribunal and repeal the human rights code.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of February 26, 2026 (morning): statement on Westham Island, question on the Delta long-term-care project, vote on the budget motion](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260226am-Hansard-n126.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Mar 12Recorded votes, yes ### Voted yes on Motion 13, support for the human rights code and its enforcement The vote index lists Paton voting yea on an amendment to the motion and yea on the motion itself.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the transcript or the wording of the motion.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Feb 19Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes at first reading of the Gender Ideology and Child Protection Act The vote index lists Paton voting yea at first reading.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the transcript or the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Mar 5Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes at first reading of the Drug Recovery and Community Safety Act (Bill M235) The vote index lists Paton voting yea at first reading.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the transcript or the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 20Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes at second reading of the Public Sector Construction Projects Procurement Act (Bill M233) The vote index lists Paton voting yea at second reading.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the transcript or the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 1Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes on third reading of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, 2026 (Bill 6) The vote index lists Paton voting yea at third reading.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 1Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes on third reading of the Safe Access to Schools Amendment Act, 2026 (Bill 12) The vote index lists Paton voting yea at third reading.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard May 4Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes on the report stage of the Dashboard Cameras in Commercial Vehicles Act (Bill M217) The vote index lists Paton voting yea on the reporting of the bill as amended.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Feb 23Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes at second reading of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act (No. 2), 2025 (Bill M226) The vote index lists Paton voting yea at second reading.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 13Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes at first reading of the Interpretation Amendment Act, 2026 (Bill M241) The vote index lists Paton voting yea at first reading.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard May 25Recorded votes, yes and no ### Votes on Motion M205, a mandatory orientation course for MLAs The vote index lists Paton voting yea on a subamendment moved by Giddens on April 27, nay on an amendment moved by Blatherwick on May 4, and nay on the motion on May 25.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the wording of the motion or the transcripts.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Mar 31Recorded vote, yes ### Voted yes on Motion M203, merit oversight in the public service The vote index lists Paton voting yea on the motion.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the transcript or the wording of the motion.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 22Recorded vote, no ### Voted no on Motion 15, sending Bill M237 to a review committee The vote index lists Paton voting nay on the motion to send Bill M237 to the Insurance (Vehicle) Act Provisions Review Committee.
Scope, limits and sources voche.me did not open the text of the bill.
- [Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 22Petition presented ### Presented a petition against aerial spraying for spongy moth Paton presented a petition of 158 signatures from residents of Delta South and Tsawwassen. It asks the House to call on the Ministries of Forests and of Agriculture and Food to cancel the 2026 plans to spray from the air in Tsawwassen, Beach Grove and Squamish for spongy moth, and to end aerial spraying over B.C. communities permanently.
Scope, limits and sources A petition passes on the request of residents. The transcript of the item records no position of his own on spraying.
- [Debates of April 22, 2026 (afternoon): petition on aerial spraying and first reading vote on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Repeal Act](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260422pm-Hansard-n160.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Members index to debates, 2026, entry for Ian Paton](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Index/43rd2nd/2026-members-indexmhds.htm)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 15Participated ### Questioned the Agriculture minister in the review of her ministry's budget On April 14 and 15, 2026 Paton questioned the minister on production insurance, the Agricultural Land Commission, the 50-50 processing rule, a $27.8 million land purchase for a plant and animal health centre in Abbotsford, wildlife damage payments and the closure of Hastings Racecourse.
Scope, limits and sources The ministry budget review is the part of the session where members question a minister on that ministry's spending. His questions are his own words. The answers are the minister's.
- [Debates of April 14, 2026 (morning): question on the Agricultural Land Commission and start of the Agriculture ministry budget review](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260414am-Hansard-n151.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of April 14, 2026 (afternoon): Agriculture ministry budget review](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260414pm-Hansard-n152.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of April 15, 2026 (afternoon): Agriculture ministry budget review, second day](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260415pm-Hansard-n153.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 29Contract cancelled ### Construction contract for the Beedie Long-Term Care Centre in Delta cancelled The Surrey Now-Leader reported on April 30 that a Fraser Health memo confirms the Province cancelled the construction contract for the 200-bed Beedie Long-Term Care Centre and says the government remains committed to the project. In the House on April 29 Minister Bowinn Ma said the project at Delta will continue and that work with Fraser Health to bring down the cost per bed is underway.
Scope, limits and sources A government and Fraser Health decision. Paton asked about it in question period on February 26, April 29 and May 4.
- [Construction contract cancelled for Delta long-term care project](https://surreynowleader.com/2026/04/30/breaking-construction-contract-cancelled-for-delta-long-term-care-project/)Reporting · Surrey Now-Leader (Black Press Media) - [Debates of April 29, 2026 (afternoon): question period, long-term-care project in Delta](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260429pm-Hansard-n167.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of May 4, 2026 (afternoon): question period, long-term-care project in Delta](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260504pm-Hansard-n171.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Recent appearances / Read and watch ## Talks, interviews & statements Read original statements and reporting, or open the publisher’s video. A summary of a speech is labelled separately from a full recording. Feb 19Speech ### Budget debate speech Paton criticized spending and debt in the 2026 budget, said Delta's long-term-care project had been rescheduled, criticized the delay of the George Massey Tunnel replacement, said Delta South has one $10-a-day child care location, and said the Agricultural Land Commission's budget has stayed at $5.5 million for several years. - [Debates of February 19, 2026 (afternoon): budget debate speech](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260219pm-Hansard-n120.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Feb 26Statement ### Members' statement on Westham Island and its bridge Paton described Westham Island as farmland that grows more than 25 percent of B.C.'s seed potatoes and said the 1909 bridge, hit by a barge, left residents relying on water taxis and barges while TransLink repaired it. - [Debates of February 26, 2026 (morning): statement on Westham Island, question on the Delta long-term-care project, vote on the budget motion](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260226am-Hansard-n126.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Feb 26Speech ### Speech on Bill 5, the Trade Recognition Act Paton said the Conservative caucus supports removing interprovincial trade barriers and criticized the government for issuing no trade order in the 12 months after Bill 7 of 2025. - [Debates of February 26, 2026 (afternoon): Bill 5 (Trade Recognition Act), second reading debate and division on Bill 3](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260226pm-Hansard-n127.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Mar 5Statement ### Questions to the minister on Bill 5 Paton asked what consultation the Province had held with other provinces on milk quotas, meat inspection, trucking rules and packaging, and whether B.C. wine and beer would move freely across provinces after the bill passes. - [Debates of March 5, 2026 (afternoon): Bill 5 committee questions and third reading division on Bill 3](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260305pm-Hansard-n134.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Mar 10Speech ### Speech on Bill 10, the Labour Statutes Amendment Act Paton said temporary foreign workers are essential to B.C. farms, including greenhouses in Delta, and warned against a sudden cut in their number. He said farms must follow the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act. - [Debates of March 10, 2026 (afternoon): Bill 10 (Labour Statutes Amendment Act) debate](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260310pm-Hansard-n138.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Mar 30Speech ### Support for the motion on clean water Paton said he supports Motion 201 on affordable, equitable and accessible clean water. He said farms need dependable water supplies and urged investment in irrigation, storage and water treatment. - [Debates of March 30, 2026 (morning): Motion 201 on clean water](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260330am-Hansard-n142.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 14Statement ### Opening of the Agriculture ministry budget review Paton told the House he still lives on the farm where he was raised, said he returned to dairy farming in 1985, and asked about the Agricultural Land Commission's staffing, production insurance and the provincial sales tax on professional services used on farms. - [Debates of April 14, 2026 (morning): question on the Agricultural Land Commission and start of the Agriculture ministry budget review](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260414am-Hansard-n151.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Debates of April 14, 2026 (afternoon): Agriculture ministry budget review](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260414pm-Hansard-n152.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 20Statement ### Questions on flood prevention Paton said the December atmospheric river caused at least $74 million in insured losses and that the budget holds no new money for flood prevention. He asked when the flood strategy will be funded. - [Debates of April 20, 2026 (afternoon): Emergency Management and Climate Readiness ministry budget review](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260420pm-Hansard-n157.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 27Statement ### Statement by a member on food security Paton said B.C. needs to secure its food supply and said staffing cuts and a lack of investment have slowed decisions at the Agricultural Land Commission. - [Debates of April 27, 2026 (morning): private members' statement on agriculture](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260427am-Hansard-n163.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Apr 29Statement ### Question period on the cancelled Delta long-term-care project Paton asked when the cancelled project will start again and said the community raised nearly $20 million for it. He said he considers the project cancelled. Minister Bowinn Ma called it re-paced and said the project at Delta will continue while work to bring down the cost per bed is underway. - [Debates of April 29, 2026 (afternoon): question period, long-term-care project in Delta](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260429pm-Hansard-n167.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - [Ian Paton on X, post of April 29, 2026 on the Beedie Long Term Care project](https://x.com/IanPatonDelta/status/2049606696650359109)Campaign · X Apr 30Press conference ### Remarks to reporters on the contract cancellation At the legislature Paton told reporters that transparency was the main issue and that, from what he understands, the Delta project is cancelled. He asked what the penalties for cancelling would be. - [Construction contract cancelled for Delta long-term care project](https://surreynowleader.com/2026/04/30/breaking-construction-contract-cancelled-for-delta-long-term-care-project/)Reporting · Surrey Now-Leader (Black Press Media) May 5Statement ### Statement for B.C. Beef Day Paton praised B.C. ranchers, named the rising cost of feed, fuel, equipment and labour, and said ranchers care for land and animals. - [Debates of May 5, 2026 (morning): statement for B.C. Beef Day](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260505am-Hansard-n172.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard May 6Speech ### Overnight speech on Bill 9 Paton spoke for a six-month delay of Bill 9. He said the bill gives officials wider discretion and makes information harder to get, and that it does not clearly follow the 2022 committee review of the act. - [Debates of May 6, 2026 (afternoon and overnight): Bill 9 (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026)](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260506pm-Hansard-n174.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard May 7Statement ### Question on the Cattlemen's lawsuit over the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Paton said that on May 6 the B.C. Cattlemen's Association filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and asked why the government attended Beef Day yet left the ranchers without support in court. He raised concerns about private property rights. - [Debates of May 7, 2026 (morning): question on the Cattlemen's lawsuit over the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260507am-Hansard-n175.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard May 7Statement ### Questions on the Westham Island Bridge In the Transportation ministry budget review Paton asked how a future bridge operator could avoid a repeat of the barge strike and whether there is a date for a new bridge to Westham Island. - [Debates of May 7, 2026 (afternoon): Transportation ministry budget review](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260507pm-Hansard-n176.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard May 19Statement ### Statement for B.C. Dairy Day Paton described a dairy farmer's working day, said he lived that routine for many years, and named rising costs of feed, fuel, equipment, transportation and labour. - [Debates of May 19, 2026 (morning): statement for B.C. Dairy Day](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260519am-Hansard-n177.html)Official record · Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard Aug 24Statement ### Statement on leaving the Conservative caucus In a written statement Paton said the new direction of the Conservative Party of BC under Kerry-Lynne Findlay is no longer aligned with his beliefs, that he would sit as an Independent, and that he intended to form a new party in the legislature with Peter Milobar. He wrote that his first responsibility as an MLA is to the people of Delta South. - [Delta South MLA Paton ditches BC Conservatives (includes his statement)](https://voiceonline.com/delta-south-mla-paton-ditches-bc-conservatives/)Reporting · Indo-Canadian Voice - [Ian Paton (@IanPatonDelta) on X, profile page](https://x.com/IanPatonDelta)Campaign · X Aug 24Press conference ### News conference on the legislature steps with Peter Milobar Paton said he told Findlay of his decision by text message that morning and that they had barely spoken since she became leader on May 30. He said she removed competent people from key caucus leadership roles and that some MLAs were kept from speaking to the media. He said he disliked an AI-generated video that showed Premier David Eby as a Soviet general. - [Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservative caucus, says he plans to form a new political party with Peter Milobar](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/his-departure-follows-that-of-peter-milobar-mla-for-kamloops-centre-on-aug-14-9.7318269)Reporting · CBC News - [Delta MLA Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservatives, plans to form new party with Milobar](https://northdeltareporter.com/2026/08/24/ian-paton-leaves-b-c-conservatives-plans-to-form-new-party-with-peter-milobar/)Reporting · North Delta Reporter (Black Press Media) Sep 2Interview ### Interview with The Globe and Mail on the RCMP interview Paton told The Globe and Mail that two RCMP officers interviewed him for one hour at Surrey headquarters on September 2, and repeated his account of a June 30 call asking whether he would resign his seat for Findlay. - [B.C. MLA Ian Paton questioned by Mounties over allegation Conservatives offered him a job if he'd step down](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-bc-mla-ian-paton-questioned-by-mounties-over-allegation-conservatives/)Reporting · The Globe and Mail Accountability / Findings, disputes and responses ## Controversies & public scrutiny Records are labelled by type, including official findings, civil proceedings and political disputes where applicable. Each entry identifies the response found in the sources and the latest status verified for this page. Campaign disputeAugust 24, 2026 ### Allegation that the Conservative leader's office offered a job for his seat Paton says that on June 30, 2026 the chief of staff of Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Chris Delaney, phoned him and asked whether he would resign his seat so that Findlay could run in a by-election (a vote to fill one empty seat). He says the offer was an advisory job on agriculture for the party with pay equal to his MLA salary, and he told The Globe and Mail this on September 2. The CBC reported on August 24 that he said there was no financial offer, and Black Press Media and The Globe and Mail report him saying the pay would equal his MLA salary. voche.me did not find an explanation of how those two statements fit together. Global News lists that on July 29 he said he had rejected requests to resign. Black Press Media reports that he declined and resigned as Lower Mainland lieutenant in Findlay's leadership team. #### Candidate or party response Findlay told CBC News on August 24: "At no point did we discuss MLA Ian Paton stepping down in exchange for a job of any description." She said Paton had said he wanted to stay involved in agriculture if he left office and that the party would be open to discussing an unspecified advisory role if he was no longer a sitting MLA or caucus member. In a statement to The Globe and Mail on September 2 she said: "I categorically reject any suggestion that I engaged in illegal or unethical conduct." She called the accusations a co-ordinated political attack. #### Verified status and limits Paton says two RCMP officers interviewed him for one hour on September 2. The RCMP, Canada's federal police, told Black Press Media that it generally does not confirm or deny an investigation until charges are laid. voche.me found no charge, court ruling or police finding by 2026-10-03. Findlay resigned as Conservative leader on September 20, 2026. The sources opened do not link her resignation to this allegation. - [Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservative caucus, says he plans to form a new political party with Peter Milobar](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/his-departure-follows-that-of-peter-milobar-mla-for-kamloops-centre-on-aug-14-9.7318269)Reporting · CBC News - [Delta MLA Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservatives, plans to form new party with Milobar](https://northdeltareporter.com/2026/08/24/ian-paton-leaves-b-c-conservatives-plans-to-form-new-party-with-peter-milobar/)Reporting · North Delta Reporter (Black Press Media) - [B.C. MLA says RCMP to interview him over Conservative leader allegations](https://vicnews.com/2026/09/01/b-c-mla-says-rcmp-to-interview-him-over-conservative-leader-allegations/)Reporting · Victoria News (Black Press Media) - [B.C. MLA Ian Paton questioned by Mounties over allegation Conservatives offered him a job if he'd step down](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-bc-mla-ian-paton-questioned-by-mounties-over-allegation-conservatives/)Reporting · The Globe and Mail - [A look back at Kerry-Lynne Findlay's 4 months as BC Conservative leader](https://globalnews.ca/news/12066889/kerry-lynne-findlay-timeline-resignation/)Reporting · Global News - [Confused by what's going on in B.C. politics? Catch up on the disarray](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-election-why-conservatives-resigned-9.7353012)Reporting · CBC News News coverage / Original publishers ## Read the reporting A dated reading list from independent publishers. The headings below are voche.me summaries; follow each link for the original article, context and any corrections. August 24, 2026Reporting CBC News ### Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservative caucus, says he plans to form a new political party with Peter Milobar Reports that Paton left the caucus to sit as an Independent, that he and Milobar planned a new party with Milobar as interim leader, and Findlay's reply to his job-offer account. - [Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservative caucus, says he plans to form a new political party with Peter Milobar](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/his-departure-follows-that-of-peter-milobar-mla-for-kamloops-centre-on-aug-14-9.7318269)Reporting · CBC News August 24, 2026Reporting North Delta Reporter (Black Press Media) ### Delta MLA Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservatives, plans to form new party with Milobar Reports his departure, his reasons in his own words and that he had resigned as Findlay's Lower Mainland lieutenant. - [Delta MLA Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservatives, plans to form new party with Milobar](https://northdeltareporter.com/2026/08/24/ian-paton-leaves-b-c-conservatives-plans-to-form-new-party-with-peter-milobar/)Reporting · North Delta Reporter (Black Press Media) September 1, 2026Reporting Victoria News (Black Press Media) ### B.C. MLA says RCMP to interview him over Conservative leader allegations Reports that the RCMP was to interview Paton at 9:30 a.m. on September 2, Findlay's response and the RCMP's statement that it does not generally confirm investigations. - [B.C. MLA says RCMP to interview him over Conservative leader allegations](https://vicnews.com/2026/09/01/b-c-mla-says-rcmp-to-interview-him-over-conservative-leader-allegations/)Reporting · Victoria News (Black Press Media) September 2, 2026Reporting The Globe and Mail ### B.C. MLA Ian Paton questioned by Mounties over allegation Conservatives offered him a job if he'd step down Reports his account of the interview and the June 30 call, and Findlay's rejection of the allegation. - [B.C. MLA Ian Paton questioned by Mounties over allegation Conservatives offered him a job if he'd step down](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-bc-mla-ian-paton-questioned-by-mounties-over-allegation-conservatives/)Reporting · The Globe and Mail September 18, 2026Reporting CHEK News (The Canadian Press) ### Conservatives in chaos as eight join CentreBC and Eby says no decision on early vote Reports that eight former Conservative legislators, including Paton and Milobar, announced they would join CentreBC, with Milobar as leader. - [Conservatives in chaos as eight join CentreBC and Eby says no decision on early vote (The Canadian Press)](https://cheknews.ca/eby-says-no-decision-on-election-as-three-exit-conservative-caucus-1348783/)Reporting · CHEK News - [Centrists, former B.C. Conservatives join forces under Milobar as snap election speculation swirls (live story)](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/livestory/british-columbia-politics-independents-bc-centre-conservatives-9.7350118)Reporting · CBC News September 22, 2026Reporting Sitka Media ### Sturko becomes leader of CentreBC after Milobar, other MLAs leave to rejoin BC Conservatives Reports that Paton and five other MLAs returned to the Conservatives with Milobar on the day Premier Eby called the election, and that Elenore Sturko stayed with CentreBC. - [Sturko becomes leader of CentreBC after Milobar, other MLAs leave to rejoin BC Conservatives](https://www.sitkamedia.ca/breaking-milobar-some-mlas-leave-centrebc-to-rejoin-bc-conservatives/)Reporting · Sitka Media - [Kamloops Centre MLA Milobar rejoins BC Conservatives](https://cfjctoday.com/2026/09/22/kamloops-centre-mla-milobar-rejoins-bc-conservatives/)Reporting · CFJC Today - [CentreBC MLAs defect back to the B.C. Conservatives after snap election call](https://www.am1150.ca/89578/news/politics/centrebc-mlas-defect-back-to-the-b-c-conservatives-after-snap-election-call/)Reporting · AM 1150 April 30, 2026Reporting Surrey Now-Leader (Black Press Media) ### Construction contract cancelled for Delta long-term care project Reports the cancelled construction contract, Paton's remarks to reporters and a statement from the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation. - [Construction contract cancelled for Delta long-term care project](https://surreynowleader.com/2026/04/30/breaking-construction-contract-cancelled-for-delta-long-term-care-project/)Reporting · Surrey Now-Leader (Black Press Media) Research / 44 linked sources ## Check the evidence Sources checked October 3, 2026. Official records establish decisions; campaign material establishes stated positions; reporting adds investigation and context. None alone establishes every claim.
Official record 26 sources - Provincial candidate list, 2026 general election (list printed October 3, 2026) Elections BC · October 3, 2026 - 2026 provincial general election: key dates Elections BC - Statement of votes, 2024 provincial general election, Delta South Elections BC - Member record for Ian Paton, 43rd Parliament (data service behind leg.bc.ca/members) Legislative Assembly of British Columbia - Members index to debates, 2026, entry for Ian Paton Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - Index of recorded votes by member, 2026, entry for Ian Paton Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard - Debates of February 19, 2026 (afternoon): budget debate speech Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · February 19, 2026 - Debates of February 26, 2026 (morning): statement on Westham Island, question on the Delta long-term-care project, vote on the budget motion Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · February 26, 2026 - Debates of February 26, 2026 (afternoon): Bill 5 (Trade Recognition Act), second reading debate and division on Bill 3 Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · February 26, 2026 - Debates of March 5, 2026 (afternoon): Bill 5 committee questions and third reading division on Bill 3 Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · March 5, 2026 - Debates of March 10, 2026 (afternoon): Bill 10 (Labour Statutes Amendment Act) debate Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · March 10, 2026 - Debates of March 30, 2026 (morning): Motion 201 on clean water Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · March 30, 2026 - Debates of April 14, 2026 (morning): question on the Agricultural Land Commission and start of the Agriculture ministry budget review Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · April 14, 2026 - Debates of April 14, 2026 (afternoon): Agriculture ministry budget review Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · April 14, 2026 - Debates of April 15, 2026 (afternoon): Agriculture ministry budget review, second day Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · April 15, 2026 - Debates of April 20, 2026 (afternoon): Emergency Management and Climate Readiness ministry budget review Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · April 20, 2026 - Debates of April 22, 2026 (afternoon): petition on aerial spraying and first reading vote on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Repeal Act Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · April 22, 2026 - Debates of April 27, 2026 (morning): private members' statement on agriculture Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · April 27, 2026 - Debates of April 29, 2026 (afternoon): question period, long-term-care project in Delta Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · April 29, 2026 - Debates of May 4, 2026 (afternoon): question period, long-term-care project in Delta Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · May 4, 2026 - Debates of May 5, 2026 (morning): statement for B.C. Beef Day Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · May 5, 2026 - Debates of May 6, 2026 (afternoon and overnight): Bill 9 (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026) Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · May 6, 2026 - Debates of May 7, 2026 (morning): question on the Cattlemen's lawsuit over the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · May 7, 2026 - Debates of May 7, 2026 (afternoon): Transportation ministry budget review Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · May 7, 2026 - Debates of May 19, 2026 (morning): statement for B.C. Dairy Day Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · May 19, 2026 - Debates of May 20, 2026 (afternoon): point of order Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Hansard · May 20, 2026
Campaign 5 sources - Ian Paton, Conservative Party of BC candidate page Conservative Party of BC - Our Team, Conservative Party of BC Conservative Party of BC - Our Platform, Conservative Party of BC Conservative Party of BC - Ian Paton (@IanPatonDelta) on X, profile page X - Ian Paton on X, post of April 29, 2026 on the Beedie Long Term Care project X · April 29, 2026
Reporting 13 sources - Delta South MLA Paton ditches BC Conservatives (includes his statement) Indo-Canadian Voice - Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservative caucus, says he plans to form a new political party with Peter Milobar CBC News · August 24, 2026 - Delta MLA Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservatives, plans to form new party with Milobar North Delta Reporter (Black Press Media) · August 24, 2026 - B.C. MLA says RCMP to interview him over Conservative leader allegations Victoria News (Black Press Media) · September 1, 2026 - B.C. MLA Ian Paton questioned by Mounties over allegation Conservatives offered him a job if he'd step down The Globe and Mail · September 2, 2026 - A look back at Kerry-Lynne Findlay's 4 months as BC Conservative leader Global News - Conservatives in chaos as eight join CentreBC and Eby says no decision on early vote (The Canadian Press) CHEK News · September 18, 2026 - Centrists, former B.C. Conservatives join forces under Milobar as snap election speculation swirls (live story) CBC News · September 18, 2026 - Confused by what's going on in B.C. politics? Catch up on the disarray CBC News · September 22, 2026 - Sturko becomes leader of CentreBC after Milobar, other MLAs leave to rejoin BC Conservatives Sitka Media · September 22, 2026 - Kamloops Centre MLA Milobar rejoins BC Conservatives CFJC Today · September 22, 2026 - CentreBC MLAs defect back to the B.C. Conservatives after snap election call AM 1150 · September 22, 2026 - Construction contract cancelled for Delta long-term care project Surrey Now-Leader (Black Press Media) · April 30, 2026
No campaign website was found. The address ianpatonmla.ca, which a search listed as his website, did not answer a direct request on 2026-10-03, and the party's page for him holds a biography and a donation form with no news items. His Facebook and Instagram pages returned no readable text. His X profile shows recent posts with a month and day and no year, so those posts are not used. The post of April 29, 2026 was opened by its own address, which shows the full date. The Conservative platform page shows 17 headings with one-line descriptions, carries the words "coming soon" and names no candidate. The legislature's data service gives three different party labels for him: Independent in its 43rd Parliament entry, British Columbia United in the party field of the member entry itself, and Conservative Party of British Columbia for the 2024 election. voche.me did not find a legislature statement of the date of each change. The public member pages on leg.bc.ca load their data by script and were not read. voche.me found no statement by Paton or the party that gives a reason for his return to the Conservatives on September 22, 2026, so none is given. It also found no source on whether he holds a critic role since that date. The vote index lists recorded votes that voche.me opened only as index lines: Bill 2, Bill 9 third reading, the Supply Act, Bill 14, the K'ómoks Treaty Act, the Defunding Aboriginal Title Claims Affecting Private Property Act, Motion 13, the Gender Ideology and Child Protection Act, Bills M235, M233, M217, M226 and M241, Bills 6 and 12, Motions M205, M203 and 15. The text of those bills and motions was not read. Introductions of guests were read and not used. His Labour ministry budget questions of May 4 and the end of his Bill 10 speech were not used. The Delta Optimist and Business in Vancouver pages answered HTTP 403 and were not read, so the Delta Optimist candidate updates and the June 2026 report on his role in the Conservative leader's team are not used. His claims about his councillor years, farm and committees come from the party's page and have not been checked with the District of Delta or the legislature. No outcome of the RCMP interview was found. No 2026 all-candidates meeting for Delta South was found. Campaign finances for 2026 and endorsements were not reviewed. The questionnaire has not been sent. Research status ## What voche.me has checked Evidence reviewed on 2026-10-03: the Elections BC candidate list printed October 3, 2026 and the 2024 statement of votes, the legislature's member record for him, its 2026 speech index and vote index, 20 transcripts, the Conservative Party of BC's page for him, team page and platform page, his X profile and one X post, and news reports from April to September 2026. The records differ on his party. Elections BC's list gives the affiliation Conservative Party. The legislature's member record lists his party in the 43rd Parliament as Independent. News reports say he left the Conservative caucus on August 24, 2026, that CentreBC announced him as a member on September 18, and that he returned to the Conservatives on September 22. voche.me found no source that states a reason for the return, so this page gives none. His commitments on this page come from what he said in the legislature in 2026 and from one party platform heading. The accountability section holds one public dispute, his own allegation about a job offer and the reply of the Conservative leader at the time. voche.me found no official finding. His 2026 recorded votes are listed from the vote index. [Hansard members index, 2026](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Index/43rd2nd/2026-members-indexmhds.htm) [Recorded votes index, 2026](https://api.lims.leg.bc.ca/hdms/file/Index/43rd2nd/2026-Votesp.htm) [Elections BC candidate list](https://www.elections.bc.ca/docs/fin/GE-2026-10-24-Candidate-Website-Report.PDF) 03 / Background ## Experience & community 2017 to present ### MLA for Delta South The legislature's member record lists him as elected in 2017, 2020 and 2024. In 2024 he won with 14,491 votes, 55.07% of the valid vote, as the Conservative Party candidate. [Elections BC statement of votes, 2024](https://elections.bc.ca/docs/rpt/statement-of-votes-2024-provincial-election.pdf) Until at least August 24, 2026 ### Conservative caucus agriculture critic CBC wrote on August 24, 2026 that Paton was the party's agriculture critic. The party's page calls him the Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food. voche.me found no source on whether he holds the role since September 22. [CBC News, August 24, 2026](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/his-departure-follows-that-of-peter-milobar-mla-for-kamloops-centre-on-aug-14-9.7318269) 2026 ### Lower Mainland lieutenant in the Conservative leader's team (resigned) Black Press Media reported on August 24, 2026 that he resigned from this role, which he had only recently been given, after declining the leader's request that he resign his seat. voche.me found no announcement of the appointment that it could open. [North Delta Reporter, August 24, 2026](https://northdeltareporter.com/2026/08/24/ian-paton-leaves-b-c-conservatives-plans-to-form-new-party-with-peter-milobar/) Before 2017 ### Delta councillor (the party's account) The Conservative Party of BC's page says he was elected a Delta councillor in 2010 and chaired the Agricultural Advisory Committee and the Dikes and Drainage Committee. This is the party's claim and voche.me has not checked it with the District of Delta. [Conservative Party of BC, Ian Paton](https://conservativebc.ca/mla/ian-paton/) From 1985 ### Dairy farmer in Delta The party's page says he has more than 30 years of experience running and owning a dairy farm and a farm auction business. In the legislature on April 14, 2026 he said he returned to dairy farming in 1985. [Hansard, April 14, 2026](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/43rd2nd/20260414am-Hansard-n151.html) 04 / Questions & answers ## Questions for the candidate Proposed questions for a future interview. They have not been sent to the candidate, and no answers have been supplied. No questions and answers have been supplied. ### Have your own question? Ask Ian Paton directly. We send it to the campaign, and publish the reply here if we get one. 05 / About this page ## Questions about this page Facts voche.me can state about Ian Paton's page itself, answered directly rather than left blank.
Is this an official page for Ian Paton? No. This page is researched by voche.me from public sources, listed below, and is separate from Ian Paton's own campaign.
What party is Ian Paton running with? Ian Paton is running for MLA with Conservative Party of BC.
Does Ian Paton currently hold public office? Yes. Ian Paton currently serves as MLA for Delta South.
How many sources does this Ian Paton profile cite? This profile lists 3 sourced references, each with the date voche.me checked it, in the Sources section below.
Why do some questions on Ian Paton's page show no answer? The "Questions & answers" section on this page lists questions voche.me would put to Ian Paton in a future interview. They have not been sent yet, so the page says plainly that no answer has been supplied instead of leaving the section blank.
When is the election Ian Paton is running in? The 2026 British Columbia election, including the MLA race, is decided on October 24, 2026.
06 / Candidate contributions ## Space for campaign updates October 3, 2026 ### Party label differs between the Elections BC list and the legislature record The Elections BC list printed October 3, 2026 gives his affiliation as Conservative Party. The legislature's member record lists his party in the 43rd Parliament as Independent. News reports date his moves between the Conservative caucus, Independent status and CentreBC from August 24 to September 22, 2026. This page keeps the party the candidate list gives and states the legislature's label beside it. [Read the update ](https://www.elections.bc.ca/docs/fin/GE-2026-10-24-Candidate-Website-Report.PDF) ## Sources & transparency - [Elections BC · provincial candidate list ](https://www.elections.bc.ca/docs/fin/GE-2026-10-24-Candidate-Website-Report.PDF)Checked October 3, 2026 - [Elections BC · statement of votes, 2024 ](https://elections.bc.ca/docs/rpt/statement-of-votes-2024-provincial-election.pdf)Checked October 3, 2026 - [Hansard members index, 2026 ](https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Index/43rd2nd/2026-members-indexmhds.htm)Checked October 3, 2026 Missing information does not imply a candidate’s position. [Read our editorial standards.](https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/about) Campaign contact ## Campaign links & contact. Find the candidate’s website, social accounts and contact information. [Conservative Party of BC candidate page](https://conservativebc.ca/mla/ian-paton/) [X profile](https://x.com/IanPatonDelta) ## View more candidates. [All candidate spaces ](https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/candidates) [MLA**A'aliya Warbus**](https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/a-aliya-warbus) [MLA**Abraham Nordine**](https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/abraham-nordine) Candidate Q&A ## Ask Ian Paton a question. Give your name, email and question. We send it to the campaign, and publish their answer here if we get one. ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](/bc/provincial-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.