VICTORIA, B.C. – After weeks of internal party turmoil and a dramatic day of defiance, John Rustad officially resigned as leader of the BC Conservatives on Thursday morning.
The announcement ends a chaotic period for the party’s leadership, which had seen a majority of Conservative MLAs publicly call for Rustad’s removal. Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford has been appointed as interim leader while the party begins the process for an official leadership race.
Week of Chaos and Caucus Revolt
Rustad’s resignation came just a day after the party board released a statement claiming he was “professionally incapacitated and unable to continue” as leader, citing a loss of confidence from the caucus. Rustad initially rejected this motion, taking his leader’s seat in the Legislature on Wednesday and insisting he was “not going anywhere”.
The crisis was rooted in a letter signed by 20 Conservative MLAs—a slim majority of the caucus—who advised the party they no longer supported his leadership.
In his resignation statement, Rustad insisted the dramatic events were “not a hostile takeover by BC Liberals,” a reference to the party many current Conservatives defected from. He affirmed his commitment to the party’s mission: “British Columbia needs a strong and unified opposition that is ready to hold this government to account and defeat it. I have full confidence in our caucus, and I will continue to support our team”.
Skeena MLA Supported the Ouster
The decision to remove Rustad was supported by Skeena MLA Claire Rattée, who confirmed her role in the caucus vote.
In a statement issued Thursday, Rattée said her decision was “grounded in my responsibility to the people of Skeena“. While applauding Rustad’s contributions to the conservative movement, she added that he had lost the confidence of caucus, donors, and many supporters in the Skeena riding in recent months.
Rattée’s statement emphasizes the importance of a unified and stable opposition, reflecting the sentiment of the majority of the caucus. Interim leader Trevor Halford, a former BC Liberal MLA, now faces the challenge of bringing stability to the party before the leadership race commences.
