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The B.C. Conservatives are looking for a new leader after ousting John Rustad in December.
But now, he wants back in. Maybe.
Two sources confirmed with CBC News that Rustad requested a leadership nomination package.
Rustad wouldn’t confirm that. He told CBC News he’d have more to say next week in Victoria when the legislative session resumes.
“I’m actually quite annoyed that the party seems to have leaked stuff out, but I’m still sticking to no comment,” he said.
A graphic posted to John Rustad’s social media pages early Friday morning showed a blue and white illustration of him smiling next to the words: “Everyone loves a comeback.”
The image was screen grabbed by CBC News before it was deleted from the social media pages.
Rustad said he was not responsible for the post.
“That was (constituency) staff that put that out. It was put out in error and I asked them to remove it.”
Rustad resigned as party leader in December, following months of chaos within the Official Opposition.
Watch in full as John Rustad announces his resignation as Leader of the B.C. Conservative Party Leader and answers questions from reporters.
Five MLAs either left the party or were kicked out.
Rustad insisted he would remain as leader even in the face of a Dec. 3 letter from 20 MLAs saying they’d lost confidence in him.
B.C. Conservative party brass installed Trevor Halford as interim leader before Rustad had officially stepped down, citing professional incapacitation as grounds to oust him.
That led to an unprecedented situation where it was unclear who was the party leader for a full 24 hours. Rustad resigned on Dec. 4, saying he wanted to avoid a “civil war” within the party.
After a dramatic 24 hours, some clarity has emerged for the embattled B.C. Conservative Party as John Rustad has agreed to resign as leader. Stepping in as interim leader is MLA Trevor Halford. As Katie DeRosa reports, the party says they are now united — though they will soon have to search for their leader of the future.
“Given John Rustad’s shaky leadership, it’s a little surprising that he wants the prize again,” said Hamish Telford, a political scientist at the University of the Fraser Valley.
Ten people have already declared their intention to run for leader: former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Iain Black, B.C. Conservative MLA Sheldon Clare, former B.C. Liberal party vice president Caroline Elliott, former federal Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, businessman Yuri Fulmer, Rossland, contractor Warren Hamm, former grocery executive Darrell Jones and B.C. Conservative MLA Peter Milobar.
Plus another two B.C. Conservative MLAs who announced their intensions this week.
Richmond-Queensborough MLA Steve Kooner, a lawyer, said he would bring much-needed legal expertise to the role. He said that’s especially important as some are concerned about their private property rights in light of the B.C. Supreme Court decision granting the Quw’utsun (Cowichan) Nation Aboriginal title over a parcel of land in south Richmond.
“There are a lot of legal issues I have been at the forefront in terms of debating as the attorney general critic,” said Kooner.
Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman said he decided to run after many in his community encouraged him to put his name forward. He said he was part of the “initial wave” of MLAs to help revive the politically dormant B.C. Conservatives after Rustad was kicked out of the then-B.C. Liberals.
“I was the only one to voluntarily come over to the party. That hasn’t been forgotten,” said Banman.
B.C. Conservative MLA Harman Banghu is also expected to join the race. He did not return a call from CBC News.
Leadership hopefuls must collect 250 signatures from party members by February 15th to be declared an official candidate
They then must raise a $100,000 entry fee. The winner will be announced on May 30.