John Rustad

About

John Rustad is Leader of the BC Conservative Party (since March 30, 2023) and Leader of the Official Opposition (since October 19, 2024). MLA for Nechako Lakes, first elected in 2005 originally as a BC Liberal, expelled from the BC Liberal/BC United caucus in August 2022 over climate-policy disagreements, joined the BC Conservatives in early 2023, and took the party leadership. Previously Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation (2013-2017) and Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (2013-2017) under Christy Clark. Led the BC Conservatives from no seats to 44 seats in the October 19, 2024 election that nearly defeated the David Eby NDP government.