VANCOUVER — Independent legislator Jordan Kealy is denying sexual assault charges that have sunk his expectation that he would be returning to the B.C. Conservative caucus.

The British Columbia Prosecution Service announced on Thursday that Kealy had been charged over allegations dating back to between Jan. 1 and Sept. 20, 2024, ahead of his election to represent Peace River North in October that year.

Kealy said in a statement that he was innocent of the accusation and would prove it in court.

“In the meantime, it will be business as usual, advocating for my constituents and region,” the statement said.

The service said special prosecutor Gail Barnes was appointed on Feb. 9 involving an investigation by the Prince George RCMP into the allegations against Kealy, about offences said to have taken place in Fort St. John.

It said Barnes, a senior Vancouver lawyer in private practice, was appointed to avoid potential improper influence in the administration of justice.

Kealy was charged on Wednesday and is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Fort St. John on July 6.

He left the Conservatives last year to sit as an Independent as he called for the resignation of then-leader John Rustad.

But he said in a statement last week that if Kerry-Lynne Findlay won the leadership of the B.C. Conservatives, he would return to the party.

“If Kerry gets in and she invites me, I might not be an Independent anymore,” he said in a Facebook video posted on May 28.

Two days later, Kealy was on stage with Findlay in Vancouver after she won the leadership on Saturday.

Findlay couldn’t immediately be reached for comment, but Angelo Isidorou, the party’s executive director, said the charges against Kealy were “incredibly serious.”

“Jordan Kealy is an independent MLA and is not joining our caucus or party,” he said.

New Democrat MLA Jennifer Whiteside released a statement on Thursday saying it was inappropriate for someone facing such serious criminal charges to continue to serve as a member of the legislature.

“His constituents deserve an MLA that they can have confidence in and who is focused solely on the job of representing them.”

Whiteside, who’s also the labour minister, said Findlay should tell Kealy to step down immediately.

“She enthusiastically accepted his support throughout the leadership race, including standing on stage with him just days ago. She has been clear about her plans to bring him back into the caucus,” Whiteside said.

She said B.C. residents deserved to know when Kealy was notified of the complaint and when Findlay learned of it.

“The special prosecutor was appointed four months ago. During most of that time, Kealy has been actively campaigning alongside Findlay,” Whiteside said.

“This is the first major test of Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s leadership. British Columbians deserve clear and unequivocal answers from her.”

The prosecution service said that after consulting with Barnes, it concluded that issuing a media statement about Kealy “was appropriate at this time.”

“As these matters are now before the court, neither the special prosecutor nor the BCPS will be releasing additional information or commenting further at this time.”

Kealy is the second sitting B.C. legislator facing criminal charges.

Former B.C. Conservative Hon Chan was charged in March with assault, assault by choking and uttering threats in a case of alleged intimate partner violence, prompting his removal from the party caucus.

The Richmond Centre legislator said he “disagreed with the allegation” and has rejected calls for his resignation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 4, 2026.

The Canadian Press