Internal tensions within the B.C. Conservative Party have escalated sharply, with 30 riding association representatives now urging caucus members to remove leader John Rustad. In a letter dated Nov. 18 and obtained by Black Press Media, riding officials warned that under Rustad, an election victory would be “virtually impossible.”
Burnaby North riding association president Corey Brooks, who helped organize the push, said the group came close to success during a caucus meeting earlier this week. According to Brooks, efforts to force a leadership change were stalled by “procedural tricks and filibustering.”
Caucus Discontent Deepening
Brooks said many party members who publicly back Rustad privately want a new leader, but fear destabilizing the party ahead of a possible snap election. He added that caucus members are reluctant to speak even anonymously due to what they describe as a climate of “paranoia and vindictiveness” around the leadership.
The party has seen significant turbulence since the 2024 provincial election, including five MLAs who either defected or were removed, and a majority of the party’s board calling on Rustad to resign.
Leadership Review Not the End of the Conflict
Rustad recently survived a leadership review, which limits formal avenues for his removal. Brooks argues that the only remaining path is a coordinated caucus stand: “It will take the entire caucus saying, ‘John, we are not going to follow you anymore.’”
Some party members say the tipping point was a controversial phone search during a caucus meeting earlier this year after leaks to the media. Rustad said the search was a group decision, not a unilateral order.
Surrey Riding President Joins the Opposition
Among those calling for change is Ed Hird, president of the Surrey-Panorama riding association, who previously supported Rustad in the party’s leadership review.
Hird said he stepped down from his executive role after signing the letter pushing for Rustad’s removal. “It’s become very plain that John is not the person to unite the party and bring us to the next level,” he said, adding that the phone-search incident violated the privacy values conservatives champion.
Hird compared the situation to the federal Conservative Party before Pierre Poilievre became leader, saying a fresh contest could reinvigorate the B.C. Conservatives.
Fundraising and Membership Concerns
Riding associations say the internal turmoil is already hurting the party, with concerns about declining donations and frustrated members leaving. Rustad declined to address these worries directly, saying only that “fourth-quarter results will show” the impact.
Hird warned that prolonged conflict will continue to weaken the party. “Everything’s down,” he said. “And it doesn’t need to be.”
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