John Rustad Ousted After Caucus Revolt in BC Conservatives
The Conservative Party of British Columbia has removed John Rustad as both Party Leader and Leader of the Official Opposition following a late-night caucus revolt that saw a majority of his own MLAs declare they no longer had confidence in his leadership.
According to a statement released Wednesday, caucus informed the party's legal counsel that Rustad could no longer continue in his role. As a result, he was stripped of both positions, with MLA Trevor Halford immediately selected as Interim Leader.
The party's Board of Directors then moved to formally certify Rustad as “professionally incapacitated,” invoking section 11.02 of the party constitution—a rarely used mechanism effectively declaring a leader unfit to continue. The Board simultaneously ratified Halford's appointment as interim leader and announced plans for a full leadership race.
The statement emphasized that the move reflects “the democratic will of the majority of Caucus.”
Rustad, who guided the Conservatives through a period of rapid growth and unexpected ascendance to Official Opposition status, received a brief note of thanks in the release. The party wished him and his family “all the best in their next chapter.”
With Rustad's ouster, the race to control BC's fastest-growing right-wing party is now wide open. The Board says further details about the leadership contest will be announced once the process is finalized.
