B.C. Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko says she was “absolutely blindsided” by her removal from caucus Monday evening.

Sturko’s removal was confirmed by caucus chair Jody Toor just hours after a review of John Rustad’s leadership, though no reason was provided for her removal.

Speaking to reporters outside the B.C. Legislature in Victoria, Sturko, who represents Surrey-Cloverdale, said she is unsure of her next steps but promised to keep representing her constituents.

“My office will be open to handle their concerns in the constituency and I’ll find a path forward, whatever that looks like. I’m not sure right now, but there’ll be a path forward,” she said.

Sturko suggested party leader John Rustad may have been worried she would raise questions about the recent leadership review, but said, “If he was worried about that coming forward, there’s other people in that room that will be asking those questions, I’m sure.”

Earlier in the day, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad said his party members have given him a “mandate to lead” with 71 per cent of party members voting to support his leadership. 

The party said in a statement Monday that 1,268 members voted in the review, where Rustad secured support in 78 out of the 93 ridings. 

A white woman with white-blond hair speaks into a mic.Elenore Sturko was first elected in a 2022 by-election in Surrey South as a member of the B.C. Liberals, later renamed B.C. United. As B.C. United support collapsed, she crossed the floor to join the Conservatives in June 2024. (Ben Nelms/CBC)

Rustad and the B.C. Conservative party came very close to winning the October provincial election with 44 of 93 seats, but some controversies have dogged his leadership, starting in March when three of his caucus members left or were removed from the party. 

Dallas Brodie was kicked out by Rustad for “mocking” testimony of survivors from residential schools, and Tara Armstrong and Jordan Kealy defected a short time later. 

Brodie and Armstrong have since formed a new party.