B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad is under fire for his handling of the departure of Penticton-Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee. Boultbee is the fifth MLA to leave or get ousted from the Official Opposition in the past year.
During a press conference, Rustad expressed concerns about Boultbee’s positions on various issues and alluded to her well-being, prompting questions about her mental health. Rustad mentioned receiving reports from staff about Boultbee appearing confused and emotional, leading him to consider whether she should take a leave of absence.
In response, Boultbee disclosed that she had sought mental health assistance five months earlier while handling a distressing child abuse case as the party’s critic for the Ministry of Children and Family Development. She accused Rustad of exploiting her personal struggles to undermine her credibility.
Rustad later clarified that he did not specifically mention mental health but rather highlighted efforts to provide support and address concerns raised within the caucus. Despite calls for an apology from Boultbee and others, Rustad maintained his stance.
Former B.C. Conservatives leader Trevor Bolin expressed disappointment over the situation, suggesting that Rustad’s leadership missteps have eroded trust among party members. Bolin recommended Rustad step down to restore confidence within the party.
Conservative MLA Brennan Day condemned the politicization of health issues, emphasizing the importance of respecting individuals’ privacy and well-being. Day refrained from elaborating further on his social media statement.
Amidst the internal turmoil, several NDP ministers criticized Rustad’s conduct, with Attorney General Niki Sharma urging him to apologize for his remarks. The discord within the party coincides with a recent Abacus Data poll showing the NDP holding a lead over the B.C. Conservatives in voter support.
As speculation grows about a potential snap election, Bolin suggested that the NDP could secure a significant victory if Rustad remains at the helm. Despite these challenges, Rustad expressed confidence in his party’s performance and even welcomed the prospect of an early election.
The B.C. Conservatives have seen a significant drop in MLA numbers since the last election, with two members forming a new party earlier this year and others sitting as Independents following disputes within the caucus.