B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad has come under fire for his handling of the departure of Penticton-Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee. Boultbee is the fifth MLA to leave or be expelled from the Official Opposition in the past year.
During a press briefing, Rustad expressed concerns about Boultbee’s positions on various issues and mentioned her health, prompting questions about her mental well-being. Rustad stated that he had worries when staff reported Boultbee appearing confused or emotional.
Rustad also mentioned discussing with staff the possibility of Boultbee taking a leave of absence. In response, Boultbee disclosed that she had sought mental health assistance five months earlier while dealing with a distressing child abuse case as the party’s critic for the Ministry of Children and Family Development. She criticized Rustad for allegedly exploiting her personal struggles to undermine her credibility.
Rustad later refuted claims that he was specifically referring to Boultbee’s mental health, stating that the focus was on providing support and addressing concerns within the caucus. Despite calls for an apology from Boultbee and others, Rustad maintained that he did not owe her one.
Former B.C. Conservative leader Trevor Bolin expressed disappointment over Rustad’s actions and suggested that Rustad step down due to his diminishing support within the party. Bolin emphasized the importance of leadership accountability in preventing further departures from the caucus.
Conservative MLA Brennan Day condemned the politicization of health issues and the potential harm it could cause to those already facing stigma. NDP ministers, including Attorney General Niki Sharma, criticized Rustad’s leadership style and called for an apology.
Internal party discord coincides with a recent poll showing the NDP leading in voter support over the B.C. Conservatives. Despite these challenges, Rustad remains confident in his party’s standing and even welcomed the prospect of an early election.
The B.C. Conservatives now hold 39 seats, down from their initial count of 44 following recent departures. Two former MLAs, Dallas Brodie and Tara Armstrong, established a new party earlier in the year, while Jordan Kealy and Elenore Sturko now serve as Independents after leaving the Conservative caucus.