The B.C. Conservatives have lost another member after Amelia Boultbee, MLA for Penticton–Summerland, announced her resignation from the caucus and called for party leader John Rustad to step down.
“I am leaving because John Rustad’s failed leadership needs to end,” Boultbee said during a press conference on the legislature steps Monday morning. “He invited me to ‘get the F out’ if I don’t like it — and I’ve taken him up on that offer.”
Boultbee accused Rustad of alienating both moderate and conservative voices in the party, warning that his leadership is “handing the NDP a victory” in the next election.
Rustad, in turn, accused Boultbee of leaking confidential caucus information to the media. “She was leaking everything to everyone, and obviously those leaks cannot carry on,” he said.
Boultbee denied the allegation, calling it “a bold-faced lie,” and warned she would pursue legal action if Rustad continued to repeat it.
The fallout comes days after Rustad admitted to searching his MLAs’ phones to find the source of media leaks. He defended his actions but later raised concerns about Boultbee’s “health,” comments that sparked backlash within his own ranks.
Conservative MLA Brennan Day criticized Rustad’s remarks, saying, “To weaponize or trivialize someone’s health condition, mental or otherwise, is harmful to those who already face stigma in silence.”
Boultbee said she had previously confided in Rustad about her struggles with mental health after working on a disturbing child abuse case in her critic role. “The fact that he used that against me shows his true character,” she said.
The B.C. Conservatives — now down to 39 MLAs from 44 after election day — have seen a steady exodus. Two former members, Dallas Brodie and Tara Armstrong, formed a new party called One B.C., while Jordan Kealy and Elena Sturko now sit as Independents.
Boultbee said she would consider rejoining the Conservatives if a new leader took charge. Sturko, who was expelled from caucus in September, said Rustad’s “lack of trust” and “paranoid leadership” are tearing the right-of-centre movement apart.
“The fact that he’s searching cellphones and accusing every Tom, Dick and Harry of leaks shows a failure of leadership,” Sturko said. “The right of centre is more splintered now than ever.”
Political strategist Allie Blades said the party’s internal battles are overshadowing its role as Official Opposition. “The MLAs are doing great work holding the NDP accountable, but the leader’s controversies are distracting from that mission,” Blades noted.
Despite mounting dissent, Rustad insists he’s focused on “one direction only — bringing down Eby’s NDP.”
Boultbee’s departure marks the fifth defection since the election, leaving the B.C. Conservatives struggling to maintain cohesion just months before voters head back to the polls.
