Quick Read
- Amelia Boultbee resigned from the B.C. Conservative caucus, citing leader John Rustad’s failed leadership and intimidation.
- She is the fifth MLA to exit the caucus in recent months, with most departures involving female members.
- Boultbee will sit as an Independent and collaborate with Elenore Sturko, but may return if Rustad is replaced.
- Rustad defended his leadership and raised concerns about Boultbee’s health, while denying allegations of misconduct.
- Experts suggest ongoing internal divisions threaten the party’s future as Official Opposition.
Internal Strife: Why Amelia Boultbee Walked Away
Amelia Boultbee, the MLA representing Penticton-Summerland, stepped onto the steps of the British Columbia legislature with a message that rippled through provincial politics: she was leaving the B.C. Conservative caucus, and she wanted party leader John Rustad out.
Her public exit, announced on October 20, 2025, was more than a resignation—it was a challenge to the very heart of the party’s leadership. Boultbee accused Rustad of intimidation and claimed he had told her to “get the F out” when she raised concerns about his direction for the party. According to Boultbee, “I believe he has massive credibility problems, and he is resorting to intimidation in order to prevent us from organizing against him.”
Her departure is the fifth in a string of resignations or expulsions from the caucus, signaling a deepening divide within the party’s ranks. Boultbee emphasized that her decision was not about policy disagreements but rather about what she described as a pattern of failed leadership and questionable behavior, especially toward women in the caucus.
Leadership Under Fire: The Rustad Controversy
The controversy swirling around John Rustad, who became leader of the B.C. Conservatives in 2024, intensified with Boultbee’s departure. Although Rustad survived a leadership review last month with 70.6 percent support, questions linger over the integrity of the process. Some party members, including Boultbee, allege irregularities and manipulation behind the scenes.
“If John was serious about caring more about the Conservative movement than his own ego, he should have gracefully resigned when the membership scandal emerged,” Boultbee said at her news conference. She claimed Rustad’s approach to dissent was to “cling to power by all means necessary.”
Rustad, for his part, expressed regret over Boultbee’s exit, but also raised questions about her health and state of mind. “I see concerns, when she’s in tears,” he told reporters. He attributed some of the recent tensions to Boultbee’s role as critic for children and family development, a portfolio he described as “very stressful.” Rustad also noted her discomfort with the party’s stance on parental rights and the SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) curriculum in schools, though Boultbee herself insisted policy was not the issue.
Women in the Caucus: A Pattern of Exits
Boultbee was not alone in feeling pushed out. In recent months, four of the five MLAs who have either left or been removed from the caucus have been women. Boultbee pointed to a “track record” of Rustad “kicking out, driving out, or firing” female members, a claim that gained attention after Rustad apologized for discussing a woman party member’s alleged romantic relationship at a caucus meeting.
Other notable departures include Dallas Brodie, who was ejected in May after controversial remarks about residential school survivors, and Tara Armstrong and Jordan Kealy, who later defected. Brodie and Armstrong subsequently formed the breakaway OneBC party. Boultbee’s own alliance with former Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko, who was expelled after defecting from the B.C. Liberals, underscores the fragmentation of the opposition.
Political Fallout: Opposition Numbers and Future Prospects
With Boultbee’s departure, the B.C. Conservatives’ presence in the legislature drops from 44 to 39 members, weakening their position as the Official Opposition. The party’s internal fractures have left the NDP government largely unchallenged, according to Boultbee: “The NDP would remain in government as long as Rustad remained Opposition leader.”
UBC political science lecturer Stewart Prest analyzed the situation, telling The Canadian Press, “We continue to see dissatisfaction with Mr. Rustad’s leadership of the party from both the more moderate and the more populist wings or factions of conservatism in this province. The fact that he is still looking to solidify his leadership suggests that his days as leader are numbered.”
Rustad, however, insists that the worst is over. He predicted Boultbee would be the last MLA to leave and that media leaks would decrease. “So I don’t believe there’s anybody else who is considering leaving our caucus,” he stated, signaling an attempt to steady the party’s ship.
The Broader Context: Conservative Tensions and the Road Ahead
The ideological tensions within the B.C. Conservative Party are not new, but recent events have brought them to a boiling point. Disagreements over policy, leadership style, and internal democracy have exposed fault lines between the party’s moderate and populist factions. Boultbee’s exit, coupled with her critique of the party’s handling of parental rights legislation and the SOGI curriculum, reflects a broader struggle over the party’s identity and future direction.
For now, Boultbee will sit as an Independent and collaborate with Elenore Sturko, but she leaves the door open for a possible return—if Rustad steps aside. Her resignation is a reminder that leadership is not just about winning votes, but about maintaining trust, unity, and respect within a party’s ranks.
Amelia Boultbee’s departure is both a symptom and a catalyst of the B.C. Conservatives’ internal crisis. Her principled stand—rooted in concerns over leadership and party culture—underscores the challenges facing opposition politics in British Columbia. As the party grapples with questions of direction and identity, the coming months may prove decisive for its future and for the broader political landscape of the province.