B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad speaks to reporters following the throne speech at the legislature in Victoria, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

By The Canadian Press

leadership chaos

B.C. Conservatives say ‘professionally incapacitated’ Rustad removed as leader

Dec 3, 2025 | 1:28 PM

The B.C. Conservative Party says John Rustad has been “removed” as leader of the Opposition and a caucus vote has installed MLA Trevor Halford as interim leader.

The announcement comes after 20 MLAs representing a majority of Rustad’s caucus said they had lost confidence in him and wanted him out, but he refused to resign and said there was no way they could remove him.

Rustad cited the party constitution, which says a leader can only be removed by resignation, death, incapacitation or a leadership review.

But the party says in a news release that its board of directors decided Rustad is “professionally incapacitated” and “unable to continue” as leader of the party.

It says the party “respects the democratic will” of the majority of the caucus.

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The announcement comes after lawyer Bruce Hallsor wrote to party president Aisha Estey saying he was in possession of letters from the 20 MLAs calling for Rustad’s removal.

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