Latest news with #JohnRustad
CBC
2 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Rustad wonders if he should have made 'blackmail' claim after Opposition caucus meets
Social Sharing British Columbia Opposition Leader John Rustad said he wonders whether he should have used the word "blackmail" to describe the alleged behaviour of former B.C. Conservatives he's accused of trying to take over the party. But he said he didn't exaggerate the claims and doesn't regret writing a letter to his caucus that contained the allegations that are now being examined by police. Rustad was speaking Wednesday after a Conservative caucus meeting in Surrey, B.C., where most of his party's legislators stood behind him as he addressed reporters. "I do think about whether I should have used the word 'blackmail.' That was how staff described it to me," Rustad said, adding it was "unfortunate" the situation had become "very politicized." "I don't want to say a whole lot more because I'm trying to protect our staff." Former Liberal premier Gordon Campbell also attended the caucus meeting. Rustad said Campbell was brought in to talk to legislators about how he handled differences in his own caucus, and how the party's situation differs today. "There's nothing like drawing on some experience," Rustad said. Rustad has faced questions over his handling of allegations that three former Conservative members of the legislative assembly tried to blackmail legislators and staff. He said this week that a person who relayed the claims to him did not want to provide a statement in a police investigation. WATCH | John Rustad alleges blackmail: B.C. Conservative leader's letter alleges blackmail by ex-members 9 days ago Duration 10:04 In a letter leaked to media on Monday, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad alleges that a group of legislators who left his party are threatening to release texts and messages to intimidate members of his caucus. It comes after two Conservative defectors formed the OneBC party. Tim Thielmann, the chief of staff for the OneBC leader, called the allegations a desperate attempt by Rustad to cling to power. The three former Conservative MLAs, Dallas Brodie, Tara Armstrong and Jordan Kealy, have all denied the accusations. They said the allegations were intended to distract from questions about Rustad's leadership. Rustad's leadership is currently under a review that is expected to last until December, with individual riding associations voting on whether he should stay on. The constitution approved at the party's most recent annual general meeting in Nanaimo says a leader can only be removed from office after voluntary resignation, death, incapacity or in a leadership review by the membership. Rustad said Wednesday that the review was not a unique situation, and while he would "love to have 100 per cent" support, he does not have a particular number in mind beyond the 50 per cent plus one benchmark set out in the party's constitution. WATCH | Rustad under leadership review: B.C. Conservative leader to face scheduled leadership review amid infighting 2 days ago Duration 3:05 The B.C. Conservative party has launched a leadership review into John Rustad. It comes as Rustad struggles to control infighting within the conservative movement. Our Katie DeRosa has been looking into this. University of British Columbia political science lecturer Stewart Prest said he expects MLAs to let that process play out for now. But Prest said the riding-by-riding vote also created the "possibility of an additional drip, drip effect" where Rustad had to continually defend his record. "There's not one particular way this rule may play out, but I would think, if I were Mr. Rustad, I would not be looking forward to the summer," Prest said. He added it is not clear whether any future leadership challenger to Rustad would come from the "populist" or moderate wings of the party. "We are already hearing rumblings of challenges from both camps, so I don't know if it is an either-or situation," Prest said. He said that the recent emergence of the One B.C. party, launched by Brodie and Armstrong, speaks to a growing unwillingness among populists to compromise. "So I think that is likely to continue," Prest said. As for the moderate camp, its members would focus on the question of whether Rustad can win government, Prest said. "If there isn't a sense that Mr. Rustad can pull everyone together, they too will join the calls for him to step aside and let someone else try," Prest said. Premier David Eby said during his weekly news conference that the Opposition faces "significant challenges" regardless of who leads them, saying it has "far-right politics" that are extreme.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
B.C. Conservative leader faces review amid party infighting rumours
B.C. Conservative leader faces review amid party infighting rumours John Rustad, who is facing a leadership review, made his first public appearance in weeks after a caucus meeting.
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Rustad wonders if he should have made ‘blackmail' claim after Opposition caucus meets
B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad speaks to reporters at the legislature in Victoria, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito CAH flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
CTV News
3 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Rustad faces ‘messy' summer over B.C. Conservative leadership: political expert
B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad speaks to reporters at the legislature in Victoria, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito VICTORIA — British Columbia's Conservative caucus members are meeting in Surrey today in what a political scientist says could be the start of a 'messy' summer for party Leader John Rustad. It comes as Rustad's leadership is under review and questions arise about his handling of allegations he made in a letter accusing some former Conservative members of the legislature of blackmail. University of B.C. political science lecturer Stewart Prest says there is no formal mechanism for Conservative legislators to push Rustad out at today's meeting, but it doesn't mean they couldn't do things in a 'messier way' by withdrawing confidence in his leadership. He says if they say they no longer have faith in Rustad, the leader's options 'are limited about what he can do,' regardless of what the party constitution says. The constitution approved at the party's most recent annual general meeting in Nanaimo says a leader can only be removed from office after voluntary resignation, death, incapacity or in a leadership review by the membership. The leadership review is already underway and is expected to last through December, with party members voting on whether they support Rustad in the job, and Prest says he expects MLAs to let that process play out for now. But Prest says the riding-by-riding vote also creates the 'possibility of an additional drip, drip effect' where Rustad has to continually defend his record. He says if he were Rustad, he would not be looking forward to the summer. This report by Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press, was first published June 25, 2025.
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Rustad faces ‘messy' summer over B.C. Conservative leadership: political expert
VICTORIA - British Columbia's Conservative caucus members are meeting in Surrey today in what a political scientist says could be the start of a 'messy' summer for party Leader John Rustad. It comes as Rustad's leadership is under review and questions arise about his handling of allegations he made in a letter accusing some former Conservative members of the legislature of blackmail.
