B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad checks his phone in the Office of the Speaker at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria, on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

By The Canadian Press

leadership change

John Rustad quits as B.C. Conservative leader, saying it’s not a ‘hostile takeover’

Dec 4, 2025 | 10:00 AM

VICTORIA — The Conservative Party of B.C.’s caucus has released a statement from John Rustad saying he has resigned as leader, one day after he refused to quit in the face of a caucus revolt.

The statement says the uprising “was not a hostile takeover by BC Liberals,” a reference to the centre-right party that imploded before last year’s provincial election, with many of its MLAs jumping to the B.C. Conservatives.

But in a separate statement on his personal social media account, Rustad also hinted that the battle over “the soul of this party” would continue, saying the party should be held to account.

In the statement issued by the caucus, Rustad said the party remained conservative, while acknowledging that many members and supporters may have been concerned by the events, which saw him defy his own MLAs and party executives.

The party’s board had released a statement on Wednesday saying Rustad was removed because he was “professionally incapacitated.”

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Rustad responded on social media by saying he had not quit and was “not going anywhere,” but that message has been deleted.

The party said Wednesday that a caucus vote had installed Trevor Halford as interim leader after 20 MLAs representing a caucus majority said they had lost confidence in Rustad and wanted him out.

“British Columbia needs a strong and unified opposition that is ready to hold this government to account and defeat it. I have full confidence in our caucus, and I will continue to support our team as they fight for British Columbians every day,” Rustad said in Thursday’s caucus statement.

In a separate statement on social media, Rustad explained why he took so long to step down. He has faced months of criticism since taking the party to the brink of power in last year’s election, while the party caucus has been reduced to 39 after five MLAs exited over differences with him.

“Many of you have had strong opinions about my decision to fight for the soul of this party. And I understand that. I had a responsibility to stand my ground,” he said.

He alluded to the schism within the party, and a potential leadership battle ahead.

“The media will try to anoint their preferred leader, but that may not align with what ordinary British Columbians need. So, I ask you to think carefully about the path ahead,” he said.

He encouraged people to sign up for Conservative memberships.

“Make your voice impossible to ignore. Hold this party to the same uncompromising standard of accountability that you held me to,” he said.

He added: “The fight for this province has never belonged to one person. It belongs to all of us.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2025.

Wolf Depner, The Canadian Press