Where will John Rustad take the B.C. Conservative Party?
The longtime MLA for Nechako Lakes says he's prioritizing housing, affordability and health care
B.C. Conservative Party leader John Rustad is asserting his place as the primary challenger to the B.C. NDP.
Ahead of the upcoming fall election, the longtime MLA for Nechako Lakes has taken up the task of uniting the right-of-centre vote.
"People in British Columbia are very upset with what has been happening in this province," Rustad told Power and Politics Thursday. "There is a crisis in everything."
Now with the backing of a former political rival, it's up to Rustad to lead the B.C. Conservatives into the election. Still, questions remain about the makeup of the party before the writ of election drops, and what direction Rustad will take the party.
He told Power and Politics he will stand with the federal Conservative Party of Canada against several issues like the carbon tax and certain existing toxic drug policies. He added his priorities also lie in housing, affordability, health care and crime.
"There is a problem in British Columbia. It is unaffordable, you can't find housing, we have a huge problem with drugs and with crime," he told BC Today, adding these issues are encouraging residents to leave.
"That is what is wrong, and that's what we need to be focused on."
At the time of publication, the B.C. Conservative Party's platform includes expanding the province's liquefied natural gas and forestry industries, health-care reform and stabilizing the housing market.
A messy merger
In August 2022, then-B.C. Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon removed Rustad from the Liberal caucus after he boosted a social media post that cast doubt on climate change science. After sitting as an Independent in B.C.'s Legislature, Rustad rose to lead the B.C. Conservative Party in 2023.
Also in 2023, the B.C. Liberals rebranded as the B.C. United Party under Falcon's leadership. On Wednesday, Falcon suspended B.C. United's election campaign and asked supporters to back the Conservatives.
"One thing unites the both of us," Rustad told BC Today. "We need to bring an end to the very destructive policies of [B.C. Premier] David Eby."
Rustad told Power and Politics leadership would review which of the 50 B.C. United candidates and approximately 84 B.C. Conservative candidates would be on the conservative's slate to fill the province's 93 ridings this fall.
Still, Mario Conseco, president of public opinion poll firm Research Co., told BC Today it's not yet clear who will make these decisions — or what this means for candidates.
"This is a messy marriage," he said. "It's going to be very difficult for [the parties] to work together."
Daniel Reeve, a political science researcher at Camosun College, was surprised for a couple of reasons of B.C. United's withdrawal.
"Firstly, because it was personal. Rustad and Falcon didn't like each other," he said.
At the time of publication, both parties' platforms include an end to the provincial carbon tax, and supporting forestry and LNG.
Rustad unmoved on climate change
On Thursday, Rustad told BC Today that he has not changed his position on climate change. He adds climate change needs to be addressed, but he will not prioritize climate policies over affordability issues.
"In my opinion, it is not a crisis. It is not an existential threat," Rustad told Power and Politics.
"We need to be able to address the change in climate but we also need to make sure that we stay focused on people being able to build a future here."
He said he does not support the province's carbon tax.
In 2008, the B.C. Liberals introduced the tax on the purchase and use of gasoline, diesel and natural gas, which represents approximately 80 per cent of provincial greenhouse gas emissions.
Since then, the federal government has mandated provinces maintain a carbon tax rate of at least $80 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
Instead, he says he values upping agriculture in B.C., and making infrastructure more resilient to climate-driven extreme weather.
Researchers expect extreme weather events, like heat waves, extreme rainfall and extreme cold, to happen more often and more forcefully due to human-caused climate change.
Natural Resources Canada expects the rise in extreme heat to drive more intense wildfires.
Rustad against SOGI
Rustad said he does not support the provincial Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculum, a gender diversity education program in B.C. schools. The curriculum is distinct from sexual health education, which is an established part of B.C.'s school curriculum.
The program was first introduced by the B.C. Liberals in 2016, and supported by the B.C. NDP government.
Since then, critics have voiced concerns that the program clashes with religious beliefs, or encourages children to undergo gender-affirming surgery. Thousands of British Columbians, including parents, have protested in a series of protests for and against the policy.
Rustad told BC Today that he has seen examples of sexually explicit materials being made accessible through the program. While Rustad said he would provide examples, CBC has not yet seen those materials and has not been able to verify these claims.
"What SOGI has become is a lightning rod," he said "Denying parents their rights to understand what is going on with their child in schools, that to me is wrong. Parents have rights,"
Rustad said he does support a "strong anti-bullying" policy in schools.
More details about Rustad's policies will become clear as British Columbia approaches the official start of its election on Oct. 19
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With files from BC Today and Power and Politics