John Rustad has been ousted from his position as leader of the BC Conservatives.Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford has been appointed interim party leader.The board of directors passed a motion removing Rustad and putting Halford in his place. Article 11.02 of the party constitution states that the leader "can only be removed from office by resignation, death, incapacitation, or the leadership review vote resulting in less than 50% support of the party members.".The board certified that Rustad is "professionally incapacitated," thus "unable to continue as party leader.""The Conservative Party of British Columbia would like to extend its deepest gratitude to John Rustad, who led our party into its ascendance and made history," they added. "We wish him and his family all the best in their next chapter."The party added that the process of a new leadership race has begun.."I have not resigned, I have not been removed, and I am not going anywhere," Rustad wrote in a post on X. "A political party’s board can throw around whatever creative terminology they like, 'professional incapacitation'? Give me a break Let me be clear : That's not a constitutional mechanism.".Speaking to reporters following the announcement, Halford explained that he had been chosen to be the next party leader, but noted that it was still unclear who will be caucus leader and leader of the official opposition.He added that he will have more to say later in the day.According to sources familiar with the matter, a number of MLAs have refused to accept that Rustad is no longer the leader, and take issue with Halford for various reasons. One segment of the party, for example, cited Halford's support for vaccines and lockdowns..BC Conservative MLA-turned-OneBC leader Dallas Brodie congratulated Halford with a tongue-in-cheek remark about him being the "new leader of the BC Liberal Party."More to come...
