John Rustad has officially been removed as leader of the BC Conservative Party just hours after he was called on to resign by 20 members of his own party.
The BC Conservative Board of Directors were given the authority to remove Rustad from his position following a vote of no confidence by the former leader’s own caucus.
The board removed Rustad by passing a motion that deemed him “professionally incapacitated and unable to continue” as the party’s leader.
“The Conservative Party of British Columbia would like to extend its deepest gratitude to John Rustad, who led our party into ascendance and made history,” wrote the BC Conservatives in a media release on the matter.
“We wish him and his family all the best in their next chapter.”
In the same announcement as Rustad’s removal, The BC Conservatives named Trevor Halford as their interim leader. Halford was selected based on a caucus vote.
The new interim leader is the elected MLA for the Surrey–White Rock electoral district.
Halford was first elected in this riding in 2020, but was a Liberal Party of BC MLA at the time. Following the dissolution of the Liberals in BC, Halford opted to run as a Conservative and held onto his seat during the 2024 provincial election.
Since Ruustad’s removal was announced, the former leader has reportedly spoken out on the matter.
During a press conference, Rustad vowed to remain in his role, and claimed that his party’s constitution does not allow members to vote him out.
However, according to the party’s constitution, a leader can be removed by resignation, death, a leadership review or incapacitation, for which he was removed.
Whether Rustad will retain his seat as an MLA for the Nechako Lakes electoral district remains to be seen.
