B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad is under fire for his handling of the departure of Penticton-Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee. Boultbee’s exit marks the fifth MLA departure or expulsion from the Official Opposition within a year.
During a press briefing, Rustad raised concerns about Boultbee’s positions on various issues and indicated potential health issues. When asked directly if he was referring to her mental health, Rustad mentioned receiving reports of Boultbee being visibly upset and confused.
Rustad also mentioned discussions with staff about the possibility of Boultbee taking a leave of absence. In response, Boultbee disclosed that she had previously sought mental health support while dealing with a challenging child abuse case in her role as the party’s critic for the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Boultbee criticized Rustad for what she perceived as weaponizing her personal struggles to undermine her credibility. Rustad later denied explicitly mentioning mental health concerns, stating that they were offering support and addressing issues with Boultbee.
The situation drew criticism from various quarters, with former party head Trevor Bolin expressing disappointment in Rustad’s handling of the matter. Bolin suggested that Rustad step down due to waning support within the party.
Conservative MLA Brennan Day emphasized the harmful impact of trivializing or weaponizing health conditions and called for greater sensitivity. NDP ministers, including Attorney General Niki Sharma, condemned Rustad’s actions and called for an apology.
Internal party conflicts coincide with a recent poll indicating stronger voter support for the NDP over the B.C. Conservatives. Despite this, Rustad remains confident in his party’s standing and even welcomed the possibility of an early election.
The B.C. Conservatives have seen a significant decline in MLA numbers, with two forming a new party earlier this year and others sitting as Independents after leaving the caucus for various reasons.