14.23°C Vancouver

Mar 24, 2023 7:01 PM - The Canadian Press

Former BC Liberal John Rustad turned Independent now seeks Conservative leadership

Share On
former-bc-liberal-john-rustad-turned-independent-now-seeks-conservative-leadership
A Conservative leadership vote is set for May 28, with former leader Trevor Bolin serving as interim leader until the vote.

A former BC Liberal cabinet minister turfed from the party caucus last year for his climate change views says he's running for the leadership of the Conservative Party of British Columbia.

John Rustad, who has been sitting as an Independent in B.C.'s legislature, says he wants to build a grassroots coalition of supporters under the Conservative banner to offer an alternative to the current New Democrat government and Opposition Liberals.

A Conservative leadership vote is set for May 28, with former leader Trevor Bolin serving as interim leader until the vote.

Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon said he dumped Rustad from the party caucus last August for his public statements and social media posts suggesting climate change is not caused by carbon dioxide emissions.

Rustad, who says he's pro-freedom, pro-trucker and is fighting to end vaccine mandates, says he expects the Conservatives under his

leadership to challenge the NDP and Liberals.

The Vanderhoof-Nechako Lakes MLA, who once held the forests and Indigenous relations cabinet posts in former Liberal governments, announced last month he was joining the B.C. Conservatives, who received less than two per cent of votes in the 2020 provincial election.

Latest news

ndp-releases-official-rules-for-leadership-race-to-replace-singh
CanadaJul 25, 2025

NDP releases official rules for leadership race to replace Singh

The NDP has released the official rules for its leadership race, which include requirements that candidates gather specific numbers of signatures from supporters in diverse regional, racial and LGBTQ+ groups. At least 10 per cent of a candidate's signatures must come from young New Democrats aged 25 years or under. Candidates must also collect at least 50 signatures from each of five different regions in Canada — the Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies, and B.C. and the North. A new permanent leader to replace Jagmeet Singh will be chosen through a ranked ballot vote, allowing party memb
BCJul 25, 2025

Dogs, crews and helicopters being deployed to find missing B.C. hiker in Banff park

The search continues for a B.C. paramedic who has been missing since Wednesday while on a hike and was last seen in Banff National Park. Chad Singer, 42, of Radium, B.C., started his hike near the Aurora Creek trail, east of Radium Hot Springs. RCMP say he was last seen that afternoon in Marvel Pass in the national park. Police say the trail system can connect to trails near Marvel Lake and the trail network between Sunshine Mountain, Banff and Mount Shark in Kananaskis. RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Gina Slaney says the Parks Canada Banff Field Unit is managing the search, which incl
seatbelt-safety-on-display-as-allegedly-impaired-williams-lake-man-crashes-on-police-video
BCJul 25, 2025

Seatbelt safety on display as allegedly impaired Williams Lake man crashes on police video

Two seatbelt tickets, a driving prohibition, and a bleeding scalp requiring stitches were the results of a strange crash in Williams Lake that could have been much worse. On July 20, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., a BC Highway Patrol officer on Mackenzie Avenue South saw both the driver of a white Ford F250 and the driver of a grey Toyota Camry without seatbelts. When the officer turned around to pull them over, the driver of the Toyota Camry collided into the rear of the Ford F250. The BC Highway Patrol officer started by checking the driver of the Toyota Camry. His head was bleeding liberally after sma
BCJul 25, 2025

Coquitlam RCMP searching for wanted male Christopher Ryan Becker

Coquitlam RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 33-year-old Christopher Ryan Becker who is unlawfully at large from a designated facility and wanted on a Form 49 Warrant of Committal. Becker was last seen on July 24, 2025, at approximately 5:30 p.m. in Coquitlam, British Columbia. Becker can be described as: • 33 years old; • 6’/183 cm in height; • Approximately 295 lbs/134 kg; • Brown eyes; • Stocky build; • Medium-length brown hair. Becker was last seen wearing a black sweater, blue shorts and orange sandals. Police are asking anyone who sees, may have
mark-carney-expresses-displeasure-over-israels-move-to-restrict-humanitarian-aid-in-gaza
WorldJul 25, 2025

Mark Carney expresses displeasure over Israel's move to restrict humanitarian aid in Gaza

Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed displeasure over Israel's move to restrict humanitarian aid in Gaza, calling it a violation of international law. PM Carney stressed the need to shift Israel's control over food distribution amid reports of widespread starvation in the Palestinian territories. He said this work should be in the hands of international organizations. The Prime Minister said that Canada has also provided aid to many of these international organizations for relief supplies in Gaza, but Israel has prevented them from reaching Gaza. Carney also reiterated that Canada sup

Related News