B.C. Conservative leader Rustad says he won’t quit, despite executives’ demand letter

By Canadian Press on October 22, 2025.

VICTORIA — British Columbia Conservative leader John Rustad says he will not resign after members of the party’s management committee told him to quit over “chaos” within the party.

Committee members, including party president Aisha Estey, say in a letter that turmoil under Rustad’s leadership has undermined the party’s credibility and destabilized its cohesion.

The seven signatories of the letter to Rustad say it’s been his responsibility to unite the party behind a common vision and his leadership has “ceased to serve that purpose.”

The signatories, who describe themselves as the current sitting members of the committee, say Rustad needs to immediately step down so a new leadership contest can take place.

The letter comes after legislator Amelia Boultbee quit the B.C. Conservative caucus on Monday, becoming the fifth MLA to exit since last year’s provincial election brought the party to the brink of power.

The results of a leadership review last month gave Rustad 70.6 per cent support among members who voted, but some party members expressed concerns over the integrity of the process.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2025.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press