B.C. Conservatives say 'professionally incapacitated' Rustad removed as leader

The BC Conservative Party says John Rustad has been removed as leader of the provincial Opposition.

The announcement comes after 20 members of Rustad's caucus said they had lost confidence in him and wanted him out.

Rustad refused to resign and cited the party's constitution, which says a leader can only be removed by resignation, death, incapacitation or a leadership review.

The party says its board of directors has decided Rustad is ``professionally incapacitated'' and unable to continue as leader of the party.

The B.C. Conservative Party sent the following news release about the removal:

A majority of the Conservative Caucus of British Columbia has informed the party's legal counsel that they no longer have confidence in the Leader of the Official Opposition, John Rustad. As such, he has been removed as Leader of the Official Opposition. Per a caucus vote, Trevor Halford was selected as Interim Leader.

Having received this notice, the Board of Directors passed a motion certifying that Rustad is, per section 11.02, professionally incapacitated and unable to continue as Party Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia. Furthermore, the Board passed a motion appointing Trevor Halford as Interim Leader. The Conservative Party of British Columbia respects the democratic will of the majority of Caucus.

The Conservative Party of British Columbia would like to extend its deepest gratitude to John Rustad, who led our party into its ascendance and made history. We wish him and his family all the best in their next chapter.

Per the Constitution of the Conservative Party of BC, the Board of Directors will now begin the process of a Leadership Race. The Party will provide further updates to this process once it is fully developed.