Skip to Main content

12.93°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos 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

CanadaNov 06, 2026

Canada Allocates Nearly $30 Billion Over 10 Years to Tackle Homelessness

The Canadian government has allocated nearly $30 billion in Budget 2026 to tackle homelessness across the country over the next 10 years. Under the plan, the government will invest $11.2 billion over the next four years, followed by another $17.8 billion over the subsequent six years, to help people overcome homelessness. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne described the initiative as one of the government's key policy priorities. Champagne said the funding aims to provide permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness, build community-based mental health and addiction treatm

missing-hunter-found-dead-in-b-c-s-merritt-area

Missing Hunter Found Dead in B.C.'s Merritt Area

The body of a hunter who had been missing for several days has been found in the Merritt area of British Columbia. According to police, 57-year-old Klaus Farman Miles had gone hunting in the Douglas Lake area over the weekend but failed to return. A missing person report was filed on Monday morning after he could not be reached. Miles was last in contact with someone on Saturday. His van was later found abandoned near Glimpse Lake, prompting police and search-and-rescue teams to launch a search operation. Ground search teams and canine units were involved in the search. His body was recovered

poilievre-faces-third-major-staff-departure-as-deputy-chief-of-staff-resigns

Poilievre Faces Third Major Staff Departure as Deputy Chief of Staff Resigns

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has suffered another major political setback, with his deputy chief of staff, Aaron Wudrick, resigning from his position. This marks the third significant departure from Poilievre’s team within a year. In a letter sent to party members and colleagues, Wudrick said he was leaving politics to pursue opportunities in the private sector and spend more time with his family. His resignation will take effect on November 27. Wudrick had been part of Poilievre’s team for the past two and a half years, initially serving as director of policy before becoming deput

pedestrian-critically-injured-after-pickup-truck-collision-in-prince-george

Pedestrian Critically Injured After Pickup Truck Collision in Prince George

A pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a pickup truck in Prince George on Thursday morning. The victim remains in hospital. According to police, the incident occurred at around 9 a.m. near Domano Boulevard and McGill Crescent. The 54-year-old man was taken to hospital in critical condition. Police believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the collision. A 48-year-old driver was taken into custody at the scene. No names have been released so far. This is the second serious pedestrian-related incident in Prince George this week. Earlier, on Monday at around 4:30 a.

powerful-storm-brings-heavy-rain-to-b-c-yellow-alerts-issued-for-metro-vancouver

Powerful Storm Brings Heavy Rain to B.C., Yellow Alerts Issued for Metro Vancouver

Environment Canada has issued yellow-level weather alerts for several parts of Metro Vancouver as a powerful storm brings heavy rainfall and strong winds to British Columbia’s coastal region. According to the weather agency, up to 80 millimetres of rain could fall in elevated areas of the North Shore and near the southern Howe Sound. Areas in northeastern Metro Vancouver, including Coquitlam, could receive around 50 millimetres of rainfall by the evening. The agency says the rain is expected to gradually ease overnight. However, several more storm systems could move into the region early nex

Related News

Missing Hunter Found Dead in B.C.'s Merritt Area

Missing Hunter Found Dead in B.C.'s Merritt Area

The body of a hunter who had been missing for several days has been found in the Merritt area of British Columbia. According to police, 57-year-old Klaus Farman Miles had gone hunting in the Douglas Lake area over the weekend but failed to return. A missing person report was filed on Monday morning after he could not be reached. Miles was last in contact with someone on Saturday. His van was later found abandoned near Glimpse Lake, prompting police and search-and-rescue teams to launch a search operation. Ground search teams and canine units were involved in the search. His body was recovered

Poilievre Faces Third Major Staff Departure as Deputy Chief of Staff Resigns

Poilievre Faces Third Major Staff Departure as Deputy Chief of Staff Resigns

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has suffered another major political setback, with his deputy chief of staff, Aaron Wudrick, resigning from his position. This marks the third significant departure from Poilievre’s team within a year. In a letter sent to party members and colleagues, Wudrick said he was leaving politics to pursue opportunities in the private sector and spend more time with his family. His resignation will take effect on November 27. Wudrick had been part of Poilievre’s team for the past two and a half years, initially serving as director of policy before becoming deput

Pedestrian Critically Injured After Pickup Truck Collision in Prince George

Pedestrian Critically Injured After Pickup Truck Collision in Prince George

A pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck by a pickup truck in Prince George on Thursday morning. The victim remains in hospital. According to police, the incident occurred at around 9 a.m. near Domano Boulevard and McGill Crescent. The 54-year-old man was taken to hospital in critical condition. Police believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the collision. A 48-year-old driver was taken into custody at the scene. No names have been released so far. This is the second serious pedestrian-related incident in Prince George this week. Earlier, on Monday at around 4:30 a.

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital