The B.C. Conservative Party’s president and management committee are calling on John Rustad to resign as leader.
In a letter addressed to Rustad and obtained by CBC News, the committee cited the “chaos” and “unprecedented level of turmoil that has engulfed our party” since the October 2024 general election.
“While the leadership inevitably involves navigating challenging circumstances, the constant and prolonged discord shows no signs of abating,” reads the letter, dated Oct. 21.
“The current and sitting members of the management committee of the board of directors cease to have confidence in your leadership. We ask that you immediately step down as leader,” it continues.
The letter was signed by B.C. Conservative Party president Aisha Estey and six other members of the party’s management committee.
(CBC News)
CBC News has not yet been able to reach the party president or Rustad for comment.
Under the party’s constitution, the board cannot force out the leader.
Rustad recently survived a leadership review with 70 per cent support, albeit with a 15 per cent turnout rate.
Party down 5 MLAs
Since forming the Official Opposition, five MLAs have been kicked out or quit the party.
The most recent MLA to leave was Amelia Boultbee on Monday. She also called on Rustad to resign, saying he has prevented his caucus from voting on his leadership through “intimidation.”
Rustad has come under fire for commenting on Boultbee’s health when asked about her departure, during which he said staff were concerned that Boultbee had been “in tears” and “very confused.”
Rustad denied he was talking about her mental health and refused to apologize.
Boultbee accused Rustad of weaponizing her personal information to discredit her.
The former head of the B.C. Conservatives, Trevor Bolin, has also said Rustad must step down, saying the party cannot beat the governing NDP with him at the helm.
“You’re the leader, you need to own that. You’re the only reason people are leaving,” Bolin said of Rustad, speaking to CBC News.
Rustad also faced criticism last month from social conservatives within the party for firing B.C. Conservative caucus staffer Lindsay Shepherd, who called the orange Survivors’ flag — which honours residential school survivors — a “disgrace” and a “fake flag” on social media.
The Official Opposition B.C. Conservatives are down five MLAs from their seat count of 44 after election day.
Two MLAs — Dallas Brodie and Tara Armstrong — formed a new party called One B.C. earlier this year.
Brodie was kicked out of the Conservative caucus in March after Rustad accused her of mocking residential school survivors.
Jordan Kealy — who left in solidarity with Brodie — and Elenore Sturko sit as Independents.