20 B.C. Conservative MLAs want Leader John Rustad’s removal, but he says he’s staying

VICTORIA — Twenty members of B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad’s caucus say they’ve lost confidence in him and want him out, but he says he isn’t going anywhere, there’s no way they can force him out, and no number of his MLAs could make him change his mind.

A letter from lawyer Bruce Hallsor to Aisha Estey, the president of the Conservative Party of B.C., says the MLAs who represent a majority of the 39-member caucus are calling for his removal and the appointment of an interim leader.

The letter says Hallsor has 20 statements, “individually executed, which all advise that the member has lost confidence in the leadership of John Rustad.”

The letter was authenticated on Wednesday by Estey.

Hallsor — a King’s counsel and managing partner at Victoria law firm Crease Harman LLP — says in the letter that he has been asked for the moment to keep the identity of the 20 members confidential.

But Rustad, who has defied demands for his exit for months, said he was not planning to step aside “at this point” and the constitution of the party does not allow MLAs to vote him out.

No number of legislators could force him to quit, he said in response to a question.

“There’s obviously some loud voices that have been part of that group, that have been for some time,” he said, adding that he was “listening to their voices” but the party was going to focus on issues facing British Columbians.

He said it was “going to be their choice” if the 20 MLAs chose to quit the party caucus.

Rustad said the Opposition was polling higher than the NDP government, “so what is their motivation?”

The caucus revolt comes after the party’s board members and riding executives also urged Rustad to leave.

Estey along with six other members of the party’s management committee called for Rustad to resign in September, saying turmoil under his leadership has undermined the party’s credibility.

The executives said in a letter it was Rustad’s responsibility to unite the party behind a common vision.

“As evidenced by sagging poll numbers, memberships, fundraising, shrinking caucus and staff, philosophically inconsistent policy, low morale and perhaps more importantly, a lack of enthusiasm and tepid endorsement from our membership, your leadership has ceased to serve that purpose,” the letter said.

The party has been hit by a series of defections since coming within three seats of a majority in last year’s provincial election, with Dallas Brodie and Tara Armstrong forming the OneBC party and three others sitting as Independents.

Rustad has repeatedly said he won’t quit, citing the results of a leadership review in September where he earned 70.6 per cent support among members who voted.

The party’s constitution says the leader can only be removed by resignation, death, incapacitation or a leadership review.

When he was asked on Wednesday what he meant by saying he wouldn’t step aside “at this point,” Rustad said “I’m not going to live forever.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2025.