A letter from seven members of the B.C. Conservative Party management committee is calling on Leader John Rustad to resign.
It says the party has been engulfed in an “unprecedented level of turmoil” since the last provincial election in 2024.
“As a leader, it is your responsibility to unite the party around a common vision and to lead us forward with purpose and clarity,” says the letter, obtained by Black Press Media on Wednesday (Oct. 22).
“As evidenced by sagging poll numbers, memberships, fundraising, a shrinking caucus and staff, philosophically inconsistent policy, low morale and perhaps, most importantly, a lack of enthusiasm and tepid endorsement from our membership, your leadership has ceased to serve that purpose.”
Rustad acknowledged receiving the letter, but told reporters he has no intention of quitting.
“This is an internal matter within the party, and I plan to have an opportunity to speak with the management committee,” he said. “Other than that, I won’t be making any further comment.”
“I am not going to be resigning,” he added.
The letter, signed by seven out of eight members of the Conservative Party Board, credits Rustad with building the party, but says it is time to move on.
“John, your efforts have been instrumental to putting the party on its feet and into the position of being the largest opposition in provincial history,” the letter reads. “We acknowledge and thank you for your service. It’s now time for a next chapter to take our shared vision of a Conservative government in British Columbia across the finish line.”
@todayinbc The B.C. Conservative Party’s management committee has called for Leader John Rustad to step down, saying his leadership has plunged the party into “unprecedented turmoil.” A letter signed by seven of the eight committee members accuses Rustad of failing to unite the party, pointing to falling poll numbers, low morale, and multiple MLA departures. Rustad, who says he has no plans to resign, called it an internal matter but acknowledged receiving the letter. The move comes just days after MLA Amelia Boultbee quit the caucus, also calling for his resignation. #bcnews #BreakingNews #BCPolitics #AmeliaBoultbee #JohnRustad #BCConservatives #PoliticalDrama #BCNews #Legislature #LeadershipCrisis#lowermainland #bcnewstv #RCMP #BCPolitics #vancouvernews #surreynews #Burnaby #SurreyBC #burnabynews #onebc ♬ original sound – Today In BC
Most of the letter’s signatories were part of Rustad’s preferred slate of candidates elected to the committee during the party’s annual general meeting (AGM) this past March. The list includes Aisha Estey, Wesley Graham, Ndellie Massey, Troy Lanigan, Sacha Peter, Andre Roberge, and Mauro Francis.
The only board member who did not sign the letter is Pavneet Singh, a restaurateur and former B.C. United candidate in the Kelowna—Lake Country—Coldstream riding.
The B.C. Conservative Party won 45 seats in the October 19, 2024, election, but five members have quit or been asked to leave the caucus since. The latest, Amelia Boultbee, left this week, blaming Rustad’s leadership — or lack thereof — for her departure.
“Those people are John’s people that he hand-picked and put forward on a slate at the AGM not that long ago,” Boultbee said. “So, for them to be asking him to step down after just being elected as his hand-picked board, I think, is absolutely stunning.”
Boultbee said she hopes to return to the party if Rustad quits.
“I hope that John takes a moment to reflect and step down,” she said.