LOCAL

B.C. Conservatives Plunge Into Leadership Crisis Amidst Rustad’s Defiance

Published

10 months ago

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B.C. Conservatives Plunge Into Leadership Crisis Amidst Rustad's Defiance
Source: John Rustad ousted as leader of B.C. Conservatives, says party

Key Takeaways

  • John Rustad has reportedly been removed from his position as leader of the British Columbia Conservative Party.
  • Rustad publicly contests his ouster, asserting that he remains the legitimate head of the party.
  • Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford has been appointed as the interim leader, signaling an attempt by a faction to establish new leadership.
  • This internal dispute highlights a significant power struggle within the provincial Conservative movement, creating uncertainty about its future direction.

The Deep Dive

The British Columbia Conservative Party is currently embroiled in a significant leadership dispute following reports that John Rustad has been removed from his role as party leader. This development has been met with staunch defiance from Rustad himself, who insists that he maintains his position, directly challenging the party’s purported decision. In a move aimed at stabilizing leadership, Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford has been named as the interim leader, indicating a clear effort by some within the party to transition to new leadership. This power struggle unfolds at a critical juncture for the provincial Conservatives.John Rustad, a former long-serving MLA who previously sat with the BC Liberals before joining the Conservatives and eventually becoming their leader, is now at the center of this internal conflict. His refusal to acknowledge his removal creates an unprecedented situation for the party, raising questions about internal governance and authority. Trevor Halford, a current MLA representing Surrey-White Rock, now steps into the interim leadership role, tasked with navigating the party through this turbulent period and potentially unifying disparate factions.

Why It Matters

This internal leadership battle carries substantial implications for the B.C. Conservative Party, particularly as the province approaches its next general election. A party deeply divided over its leadership can struggle to present a coherent message to voters, potentially undermining public confidence and diverting attention from key policy issues. Such disunity could severely impact the party’s ability to gain traction against established political rivals, potentially hindering its electoral prospects and its overall influence within British Columbia’s political landscape. The resolution of this dispute will undoubtedly shape the future trajectory and public perception of the provincial Conservative movement.

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LOCAL

Where Provincial Jobless Rates Stood in September

Canada’s national unemployment rate reached 6.5 per cent in September. Explore the full provincial breakdown and regional employment figures from Statistics Canada.

Published

2 days ago

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October 9, 2026

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National and Provincial Jobless Figures

Canada recorded a national unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent in September, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Oct. 9, 2026.

Across Western Canada, British Columbia’s jobless rate shifted to 6.4 per cent from 6.5 per cent in August. Alberta recorded a rate of 6.4 per cent, down from 6.8 per cent the previous month, while Saskatchewan dropped to 5.4 per cent from 6.0 per cent. Manitoba’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 per cent.

In Central Canada, Ontario’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.0 per cent from 6.9 per cent in August, while Quebec’s rate reached 6.0 per cent, up from 5.6 per cent.

Atlantic Canada and Regional City Data

In Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest provincial figure at 9.1 per cent, up from 8.6 per cent in August. New Brunswick saw a minor increase to 7.4 per cent from 7.3 per cent, and Nova Scotia rose to 6.3 per cent from 6.1 per cent. Prince Edward Island experienced a decline, moving to 7.3 per cent from 7.9 per cent.

Statistics Canada also tracked seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average rates for major urban areas. However, the agency cautioned that these municipal figures are subject to wide fluctuations due to smaller statistical sample sizes.

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LOCAL

Who Is Running in Your Riding for the 2026 BC Election?

Check the full list of official candidates who have filed nomination papers for Kamloops, Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin, and Salmon Arm-Shuswap ridings.

Published

2 days ago

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October 9, 2026

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Candidates Confirmed Across Five Regional Ridings

Nomination papers have been officially submitted by individuals seeking election as local Members of the Legislative Assembly in the upcoming 2026 BC election.

In Kamloops Centre, voters will see a five-candidate field consisting of incumbent Peter Milobar for the BC Conservatives, Annelise Beach representing the BC Greens, Rocky McAfee for OneBC, Thaelo Proctor running as an Independent, and Mike Wisla representing the BC NDP.

To the north, the Kamloops-North Thompson constituency features incumbent Ward Stamer of the BC Conservatives, alongside Kory Clark running for the BC NDP and Deborah Friesen for OneBC.

Contests Set for Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin, and Salmon Arm-Shuswap

In the Fraser-Nicola riding, incumbent Conservative Tony Luck faces challenges from Jason Leboe of the BC NDP and Patrick Mitchell of the BC Greens.

The Cariboo-Chilcotin ballot includes incumbent Lorne Doerkson running for the BC Conservatives, Kathryn Askew representing the BC NDP, and Douglas Gook representing the BC Greens.

Meanwhile, five candidates are contesting the Salmon Arm-Shuswap riding. Incumbent David Williams represents the BC Conservatives, joined on the ballot by Gloria Morgan for the BC NDP, Barbara Presch for OneBC, Denise Reimer for CentreBC, and Jed Wiebe for the BC Greens.

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COMMUNITY

How Central Okanagan Residents Can Avoid Costly Household Plumbing Damage This Thanksgiving

RDCO warns Central Okanagan residents to dispose of Thanksgiving cooking fats in the garbage to avoid costly sewer blockages and plumbing damage.

Published

2 days ago

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October 9, 2026

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Preventing Sewer Overflows During Holiday Gatherings

As Central Okanagan families come together for Thanksgiving between Oct. 10 and Oct. 12, regional officials are offering guidance to keep home plumbing systems safe. Disposing of fats, oils and cooking grease improperly remains the primary reason sewer lines block and overflow throughout the community.

Kit Caufield, Manager of Engineering Services for the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), explained that grease accumulation inside pipe infrastructure restricts wastewater flow over time. Caufield noted that “Over time, grease builds up inside pipes, restricting wastewater flow and creating problems not only for homeowners, but across the entire sewer system. These blockages can damage household plumbing, result in costly repairs and interfere with critical wastewater infrastructure, including sewer lift stations,”

Proper Waste Disposal Guidelines

To prevent damage to both private plumbing and public infrastructure like sewer lift stations, the RDCO recommends catching leftover food particles using a drain basket or strainer. Residents should pour warm cooking fats into a covered tin container, which can be lined with a cooking bag if intended for reuse. After the grease cools and hardens, the container should be sealed and discarded in the trash.

Additionally, fatty foods such as salad dressings, mayonnaise, and other sauces must be thrown into the garbage rather than rinsed down sinks. For larger quantities of used cooking oil, individuals can take up to two 20-litre pails to the Glenmore Landfill for recycling, though commercial amounts are prohibited. Further details can be found on the RDCO website.

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