BC MLA for Nechako Lakes John Rustad speaks to reporters in Victoria, B.C. on Feb. 16, 2023. Rustad, a former BC Liberal cabinet minister turfed from the party caucus last year for his public anti-climate change views says he's running for the leadership of the Conservative Party of British Columbia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner
BC MLA for Nechako Lakes John Rustad speaks to reporters in Victoria, B.C. on Feb. 16, 2023. Rustad, a former BC Liberal cabinet minister turfed from the party caucus last year for his public anti-climate change views says he's running for the leadership of the Conservative Party of British Columbia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner
VANDERHOOF, B.C. - 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.
"I really don't think of this being more political from a perspective of being left-wing politics or right-wing politics, I really think it's a party that needs to be more about right and wrong," Rustad said in an interview.
This report by ºÃÉ«tvwas first published March 24, 2023.
The ºÃÉ«tv Press. All rights reserved.
Get the latest from ºÃÉ«tvNews in your inbox. Select the emails you're interested in below.
A new poll suggests most ºÃÉ«tvs think the country is making good progress on re…
Surprising Toronto Blue Jays will likely be buyers ahead of Thursday's trade deadl…
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
