BC MLA John Rustad (Nechako Lakes) has been appointed as the new leader of the provincial Conservative party. .“I want to thank the thousands of members of the Conservative Party of British Columbia,” said Rustad in a Friday press release..“I appreciate the trust you're putting in my leadership, and I promise you this — no one will outwork me.” .Rustad joined the BC Conservatives on February 16 after he was axed from the Liberals. .READ MORE: 'We have to encourage debate, not limit it': Axed BC Liberal joins Conservatives.That meant a Conservative MLA would sit in the province’s legislature for the first time in more than a decade. .The Liberals booted him from the party's caucus due to social media posts he made about anthropogenic climate change..Rustad said he was gunning for the BC Conservatives leadership on March 23..READ MORE: Self-declared 'pro-freedom' MLA seeks leadership of BC Conservatives.He decided to run after former Conservative leader Trevor Bolin stepped down earlier this month. .“Our province needs a new option with genuine, principled leadership,” he said. .Rustad went on to say as Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation minister, he signed more than 400 agreements with British Columbia’s indigenous people. He said failure “wasn't an option then, and it isn't an option now.”.For the past 18 years, he said fighting for BC has been his life. He added he's going to take on the Liberals and NDP who think they should be able to limit people’s job prospects, deny freedoms, and gate keep healthcare. .Bolin said he was thrilled to announce he'd been named his successor. .“I wish the utmost success for John as the new leader and growth for this great party,” said Bolin. .As he wrapped up his time as leader, he said the main question people have asked him is what was his favourite part. His favourite part was the ability to meet with and connect with people from across British Columbia over the last few years. .The Conservatives nominated him as the candidate for Peace River North in the upcoming provincial election. .BC Conservatives Leadership Election Organizing Committee Chair Aisha Estey thanked Bolin. Estey said Rustad will have to ensure the party “grows the conservative movement this Province wants and so desperately needs.”.“We are counting on you,” she said. .Rustad concluded by saying the Conservatives will bring people together in every region in the province and continue to build a grassroots movement for positive change. .“Every single British Columbian voter will have the opportunity to tick a box that says ‘Conservative’ when they cast their vote in the next election,” he said.
