John Rustad: From fired to fighting for the top job

In just two years, John Rustad has transformed from a political outcast into a serious contender for the province’s top job.

“I’ve always enjoyed being underestimated,” Rustad told 1130 NewsRadio in a one-on-one interview.

The leader of the BC Conservatives is at the forefront of a remarkable resurgence as we approach the provincial election.

Hailing from Prince George, the 61-year-old was unceremoniously ousted from the BC United caucus in August 2022 for a Facebook post questioning climate change.

This unexpected turn of events could have marked the end of his political career. But after a brief stint as an independent, Rustad seized the opportunity to take the helm of the Conservatives, the province’s oldest political party, in spring 2023.

Since assuming leadership, Rustad has breathed new life into the party. Turning it from a mere remnant of its past into a powerful force that helped topple the very party that ousted him.

Now, Rustad has set his sights on the BC NDP’s bid for a second majority.

Despite his current standing, Rustad — who had to overcome a “huge phobia of public speaking” — admits he never envisioned a career in politics.

“It wasn’t until I was running my own company in the 1990s that I started to realize the policies at that time were very disruptive to what I was trying to do, which was run my company and make money,” Rustad recalled.

Rustad says his perspective on B.C.’s landscape nearly prompted him and his wife to relocate to Calgary. However, they ultimately chose to stay, valuing the strong family ties they had in Prince George.

“That left me with a choice: live with it, or get involved and try to change it. That’s when I chose to head down the path of politics.”

Starting his career as a school trustee in Prince George, the Nechako Lakes MLA, who has represented his riding since 2005, boasts over two decades of experience in public service.

But Rustad’s toughest political challenge likely lies ahead as he strives to become the first Conservative premier elected in B.C. in nearly a century.

Rustad seeks to appeal to and earn the trust of suburban voters with a platform centered around housing, public safety, and cutting the carbon tax.

However, his success in reaching a wider audience and defeating the NDP may hinge more on how well he addresses ongoing controversies surrounding his candidates and personal beliefs, rather than his proposed solutions to some of the province’s most critical issues.