MLA faces recall campaign over rights code, controversial remarks

Kelowna–Lake Country–Coldstream Independent MLA Tara Armstrong is facing a recall campaign.

The news comes after a number of controversial moments including proposing to scrap B.C.’s Human Rights Code, a push for a ban on land acknowledgments, and even linking the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting to “transgender ideology.”

Organizers of the “Recall Tara Armstrong” campaign said her shifting political allegiances and legislative agenda have left constituents without “coherent” representation. Armstrong, elected as a B.C. Conservative in 2024, later founded the OneBC party, then left it to sit as an Independent.

The campaign will seek more than 18,000 signatures from eligible voters if Elections BC approves the petition, targeting a riding-wide turnout of more than 40 per cent.

Armstrong defended her record Thursday in the legislature, saying she would continue to pursue the issues she believes are important to her constituents. She was one of three MLAs to vote against a motion affirming support for the Human Rights Code and the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.

Her comments on social media linking transgender ideology to violence drew criticism from Education Minister Lisa Beare and support for the recall from Premier David Eby.

The campaign’s organizers said they already have more than 100 volunteers ready to canvass and run signing locations across the riding.

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