Penticton-Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee has resigned from the B.C. Conservative caucus, urging the party’s leader, John Rustad, to step down due to what she described as his ineffective leadership. Boultbee made her announcement at a press conference held at the legislature on Monday morning, criticizing Rustad’s leadership style and stating that she has observed a decline in his leadership abilities.
According to Boultbee, she decided to leave after Rustad allegedly told her to leave if she disagreed with his methods, a statement she took seriously. She emphasized the need for a change in leadership within the party, stating that as long as Rustad remains at the helm, it could lead to electoral success for the NDP.
In response, Rustad accused Boultbee of leaking confidential information to the media, which he claimed was detrimental to the party. Boultbee vehemently denied these allegations, labeling them as false and threatening legal action against Rustad if he persisted in repeating them.
During the press conference, Rustad raised concerns about Boultbee’s position on various issues and raised questions about her mental health. In turn, Boultbee disclosed that she had previously confided in Rustad about struggling with mental health issues while handling sensitive cases, criticizing his attempt to exploit this personal information against her.
The departure of Boultbee marks the latest in a series of exits from the B.C. Conservative caucus, with the party losing several MLAs since the last election. The internal discord within the party has led to a splintering effect, with some former members forming new parties or becoming Independent representatives.
Both Boultbee and another ousted MLA, Elenore Sturko, expressed concerns about Rustad’s leadership style and its impact on party unity. They hinted at the possibility of collaborating on common issues but refrained from committing to forming a new party at this time.
Rustad’s leadership has come under scrutiny for his handling of party matters, including allegations of searching MLAs’ phones and accusations of stifling dissent within the caucus. The internal strife has overshadowed the party’s ability to effectively challenge the ruling NDP government in the legislature.
