Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad will not seek re-election next month

Former B.C. Conservative leader and Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad says he will not seek re-election next month. The Conservative Party of B.C. thanked Rustad, who led the party to a record number of seats in 2024, for his service.

In a statement, Rustad said serving B.C. and Nechako Lakes had been among the most rewarding periods of his life, but that his time in office was over. He said he had given the position what he had to give and that it was time to pass the torch to the next generation. He said the work was not finished and described it as a charge for those who follow.

Rustad said the B.C. Conservatives had grown from “the political wilderness” into the Official Opposition, while acknowledging growing pains. In a Wednesday evening email, the party said its vote share had risen from less than two per cent to Official Opposition under his leadership, and credited his conviction, hard work and willingness to take stands when few others would. The party wished Rustad and his family well.

The email also said every sitting MLA had been approved to seek re-election on Oct. 24. Rustad had only recently rejoined the B.C. Conservatives after being ousted by former party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.

Rustad joined the B.C. Conservatives in February 2023 after he was removed from the B.C. Liberals, later renamed B.C. United. The Conservatives regained official party status after Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman crossed from United to join them, and the legislature formally recognized the party in September 2023.

Two months before the 2024 provincial election, United and the Conservatives joined forces against the B.C. NDP, allowing former United MLAs to run under the B.C. Conservative banner. The Conservatives won 44 seats to the NDP’s 47 in the Oct. 19, 2024 provincial election.

Internal divisions followed. In March 2025, Rustad removed Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie from caucus; Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy and Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong left caucus in support. In September 2025, Rustad removed Surrey-Cloverdale MLA Elenore Sturko from caucus, and Penticton-Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee left the following month.

By the end of 2025, 20 MLAs had called for Rustad to step down as leader. The Conservatives removed him as party leader in December 2025. He initially refused to step down, then formally resigned as leader the next day.