The Saanich South Riding Association (SSRA) of the B.C. Conservatives is calling on party leader John Rustad to step down, saying his continued leadership threatens the future of the party.
In a letter released Tuesday, Dec. 2, signed by SSRA president Robert A. Finlay, the association said it was acting “for the good of the Party, and the Province,” and urged Rustad to resign.
The association said it has lost complete confidence in Rustad and fully supports an Oct. 21 letter sent from the management committee of the B.C. Conservative Party.
“That letter reflects what we believe to be the views of the vast majority of Party members, Riding Associations, and their executives. Mr. Rustad has lost the confidence of the Conservative movement in British Columbia,” they added.
The riding association cited declining donations, falling public support, and low voter interest as evidence of the party’s struggles under Rustad.
“Several Riding Associations have dissolved. Former candidates have denounced Mr. Rustad, left the Party, or joined other political organizations,” the statement read.
“If this continues, the Party’s future is in jeopardy. We cannot remain silent any longer. We fear the Conservative Party of British Columbia may cease to exist as a viable political force unless Mr. Rustad steps down or is removed as Leader.”
The statement also criticized the leadership review vote held last summer, saying the process was compromised by irregularities.
“Reports show only 1,268 votes were cast out of more than 8,000 members. Complaints indicate voting locations and times were changed at the last minute, and schedules were not properly announced,” the statement said.
The association added that over 2,000 questionable memberships were created using identical email addresses and paid for by three credit cards, and that members have received “no assurance that those responsible have been held accountable or that safeguards are in place to prevent this from happening again.”
The association urged the board to declare the August-September leadership vote void and to “immediately schedule a new Leadership Review Vote that is fair, transparent, and credible.”
The statement concluded: “We have lost confidence in Mr. Rustad’s leadership and in the fairness and integrity of the leadership review vote. We see no path forward for our association should he remain in place. Mr. Rustad must do the right thing for the Party and step aside, allowing members to choose a new leader. We urge the Board to act, and act quickly.”
Saanich News reached out to the B.C. Conservatives for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
In the last provincial election in October 2024, NDP incumbent Lana Popham won the Saanich South seat with 14,587 votes, while B.C. Conservative candidate Adam Kubel finished second with 9,652 votes.