Victoria/Chilliwack/Cultus Lake – On December 4 , MLA Á’a:líya Warbus issued the following statement regarding John Rustad’s resignation:
“Today the Conservative caucus officially accepts the resignation of MLA John Rustad as leader
of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, the Official Opposition to the BC Government.
Anyone who has truly experienced the weight of leadership knows that John, or anyone who
steps up and swears and oath to serve, gives a dis-proportionate amount of their personal lives,
time and peace to truly bring integrity to the role and hold government to account.
No one ever said leadership is easy and no one knows that sacrifice better than John Rustad,
he’s worked tirelessly since starting this movement to bring change to this province through the
values that British Columbians have clearly expressed and we need to continue the fight to
honour the legacy of this beautiful province we all call home.
In recent months, tensions have risen on all fronts, as people feel the scarcity in our
communities – there really is only so much one person can do for a movement, and I firmly
believe John has done everything he could.
Unless you’ve walked in the shoes of a leader, you really do not understand how truly difficult it
can be, especially if you have the heart to serve people and truly care for everyone you serve.
Sometimes our greatest strengths, become what works against us, because that’s human.
So now we move forward.
I support our caucus’s decision to elect Trevor Halford as interim leader. He is a respected
member of our caucus who brings reason and respect to the role.
My focus remains where it has always been, serving the people of Chilliwack Cultus Lake and
fulfilling my role as House Leader, to serve the will of caucus and the people of British
Columbia.”
