Website calling for firing of Rustad not authored by party members: BC Conservatives
Posted August 19, 2024 2:51 pm.
A new website is demanding the removal of BC Conservatives leader John Rustad — and it appears the call is coming from inside the party.
The anonymous authors of firejohnrustad.ca say he has turned his back on defining party values by allowing candidates who have previous ties to the NDP, Green Party, and Liberals.
“As members of the BC Conservative Party, who predate John Rustad’s appointment as Leader, we are severely concerned by the abandonment of Conservative values of our party,” the site says.
The authors say Rustad is “choosing whoever it takes to get into power,” listing BC Conservatives candidates, Dupinder Saram, Dr. Jody Toor, David Williams, Gwen O’Mahony, and recent addition MLA Teresa Wat.
Longtime BC United party member Teresa Wat announced her defection to the BC Conservatives late last month. Rustad embraced Wat into the party at a press conference, saying it was a “tremendous pleasure” to have her join.
The website provides a form letter addressed to Rustad, inviting visitors to petition him.
In a statement to 1130 NewsRadio Monday, BC Conservatives Campaign Director Angelo Isidorou says he currently has no evidence that the website was authored by anyone within the party, as it claims to be.
“In fact, evidence has been presented to us today that leads us to believe this is a third party,” said Isidorou.
“Our evidence is currently being reviewed by our lawyer, and a complaint to Elections BC will be made.”
BC Conservatives Party President Aisha Estey took to social media Monday to say that the candidates listed on firejohnrustad.ca are welcome in the party, regardless of their political histories.
“You don’t have to pass an ideological purity test to be in this party,” said Estey.
