Skip to Main content

18.05°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Mar 11, 2025 6:45 PM - Connect Newsroom

BC Conservatives Face Leadership Crisis Over Residential Schools Comments

Share On

bc-conservatives-face-leadership-crisis-over-residential-schools-comments

Rustad acknowledges that other members of his caucus may also decide to leave the party.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

The BC Conservatives are currently grappling with a leadership crisis over comments regarding residential schools, putting John Rustad's leadership in jeopardy. The party is scheduled to hold a leadership review this fall, and Conservative strategist Allie Blades suggests that recent events will serve as a significant test for Rustad’s leadership.

So far, three MLAs have chosen to sit as independents in the provincial legislature due to the party's internal divide. The dispute began in February after Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie made controversial comments about the former residential school site in Kamloops.

Rustad acknowledges that other members of his caucus may also decide to leave the party. However, he emphasizes that the party's primary focus is on holding the NDP accountable for issues like housing affordability and the ongoing drug crisis.

He added that he wanted the 44 MLAs in the caucus to move forward with the party in the right direction, but three MLAs felt that they could not remain a part of it, which is unfortunate.

Latest news

Harbour Air to Acquire Pacific Coastal Airlines, Expanding B.C. Network

Harbour Air is set to expand its network in British Columbia after announcing an agreement to acquire Pacific Coastal Airlines. Under the deal, both airlines will continue to operate under their own brands and maintain separate identities. However, their combined fleet will grow to 59 aircraft. The newly formed regional airline group will connect 25 communities across B.C., operating nearly 300 flights a day and providing passengers with improved connectivity. According to reports, the two airlines together employ around 900 people in British Columbia. The companies will also remain Canadian-o

CanadaSep 16, 2026

Man Who Allegedly Threatened to Kill PM Mark Carney Identified

A 31-year-old Calgary man accused of making death threats against Prime Minister Mark Carney has been identified as Jamie Da Costa, who will remain in custody. During a court hearing, defence counsel said Da Costa was ordered to remain in custody earlier this month. As of Tuesday morning, he was being held at the Calgary Remand Centre. According to the RCMP, police were notified on July 28 that threats had been posted from a YouTube account. Court documents allege the incident occurred between July 25 and 26. In addition to the alleged death threat, Da Costa faces charges including extortion,

AlbertaSep 16, 2026

Alberta Safeway Workers Issue Strike Notice to Sobeys

Thousands of Safeway workers in Alberta could go on strike after UFCW Local 401 issued a strike notice to parent company Sobeys. The union says workers could walk off the job at midnight on October 7 if no agreement is reached through negotiations. The proposed strike date falls just before the Thanksgiving weekend. The move comes after nearly a year of negotiations between the union and the company. Workers are seeking better wages, improved benefits, job security and safer stores. UFCW Local 401 president Thomas Hesse said workers do not want a strike but want a fair agreement. He warned tha

CanadaSep 16, 2026

UK May Join Canada-Led Defence, Security and Resilience Bank

The United Kingdom could join Canada-led Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, with reports indicating that high-level discussions are underway between the two countries. The financial institution is designed to provide long-term, low-cost financing for defence projects in allied countries. Canada has so far brought eight countries into the institution — Albania, Belgium, Greece, Latvia, Luxembourg, Romania, Türkiye and Ukraine, which is facing Russia’s invasion. The UK would be the first other G7 country to join the initiative. According to reports, Finance Minister François-Philippe C

stephen-harper-praises-carneys-trade-diversification-and-energy-policies

CanadaSep 16, 2026

Stephen Harper Praises Carney’s Trade Diversification and Energy Policies

Former Canadian Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper has praised Prime Minister Mark Carney’s efforts to diversify Canada’s trade during his closing remarks at the two-day Canada Investment Summit in Toronto. Harper supported the federal government’s decisions in the energy sector and said Canada had little choice but to step back from trade negotiations with the United States. He said reducing Canada’s dependence on the U.S. and redirecting trade toward other countries would bring challenges, but expressed confidence that Canadians would be able to manage them. Harper also prais

Related News

Harbour Air to Acquire Pacific Coastal Airlines, Expanding B.C. Network

Harbour Air to Acquire Pacific Coastal Airlines, Expanding B.C. Network

Harbour Air is set to expand its network in British Columbia after announcing an agreement to acquire Pacific Coastal Airlines. Under the deal, both airlines will continue to operate under their own brands and maintain separate identities. However, their combined fleet will grow to 59 aircraft. The newly formed regional airline group will connect 25 communities across B.C., operating nearly 300 flights a day and providing passengers with improved connectivity. According to reports, the two airlines together employ around 900 people in British Columbia. The companies will also remain Canadian-o

Surrey’s $310M Newton Community Centre Construction Officially Begins

Surrey’s $310M Newton Community Centre Construction Officially Begins

Construction has officially begun on the new Newton Community Centre in Surrey, marking one of the largest investment projects in the city’s history. According to the City of Surrey, construction crews are currently removing the old structures and preparing and levelling the site. Mayor Brenda Locke said the 175,000-square-foot modern community hub will bring a major transformation to Newton by bringing recreation, cultural and library services together under one roof. The $310-million project near King George Boulevard will feature a 50-metre swimming pool, a leisure pool, two gymnasiums, a

High-Risk Offender Jonathan Muzichka Set for Release, Surrey Police Issue Warning

High-Risk Offender Jonathan Muzichka Set for Release, Surrey Police Issue Warning

Surrey police have issued a public warning as another high-risk offender, 49-year-old Jonathan Anders Muzichka, is set to be released. The Surrey Police Service said Tuesday that Muzichka has a history of violent attacks against people and property-related offences. He will be subject to several strict court-ordered conditions and will also be monitored through an ankle monitor. Police are urging the public to call 911 immediately if they see Muzichka violating any of his court conditions. The warning comes just a day after Surrey police issued a similar alert regarding the release of 26-year-

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital