BC Conservatives spend spring defending Trump and opposing action to stand up for British Columbians
David Eby and the BC NDP spent the spring laser-focused on standing up for British Columbians in the face of Donald Trump’s tariffs.
In contrast, Rustad’s BC Conservatives kicked off the Spring session refusing to condemn Trump’s tariffs and ended it voting against real action to build a stronger and more independent economy.
In February, members of John Rustad’s team voted against a motion condemning Trump and his unfair and unjustified tariffs, and even defended Trump on social media. MLA Heather Maahs tweeted that “Eby must comply” with Trump’s demands, and Rustad said that removing red state liquor from store shelves was “dangerous and irresponsible,” and “absolutely ridiculous.”
Shortly after, the BC Conservatives began to break apart after horrific residential school denialism from Dallas Brodie surfaced and forced Rustad to remove her from caucus. She was followed by Tara Armstrong and Jordan Kealy. Just this week, Rustad suggested those two could come back into the caucus, even after they made aggressive personal attacks against MLAs Áʼa꞉líya Warbus and Amelia Boultbee.
The BC Conservatives closed out the session voting against new laws to help build public infrastructure like schools and hospitals and significant private projects. Rustad also came out against the North Coast Transmission line, which will support thousands of jobs in the Northwest.
But that’s not all. Here are some other things they did instead of standing up for British Columbians:
Tried to trigger an election that people don’t want at every opportunity, including by arguing a technicality over a blurred zoom background last night.
MLA David Williams promoted a graphic showing western Canada as a “Protectorate of the United States.”
MLA Bryan Tepper introduced a far-right Youtuber, Mr. Sunshine Baby, who called Doug Ford a “fat pig” and accused him of war crimes for standing up against Trump. Mr. Sunshine Baby apologized to Americans for the trade war and cheered Trump’s attack on Zelensky.
Health Critic Anna Kindy attended an event organized by WeUnify, a far-right organization that her colleague Peter Milobar once called “racist.” She joined a panel alongside a radical anti-vaxxer and a Trump apologist.
North Island MLAs Brennan Day and Anna Kindy defended Aaron Gunn, who accused the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of lying. John Rustad called him an “outstanding young man and friend.”
Transportation Critic Harman Bhangu is being sued for defamation after alleging nepotism and corruption within Teamsters Local 213.
Over half of the BC Conservative Caucus attended an extreme social conservative event hosted by “pro-life” MLA Heather Maahs. ARPA has called homosexuality “immoral,” advocated for the legalization of conversion therapy, and lobbied for restrictions on access to reproductive healthcare. Elenore Sturko and Amelia Boultbee denounced their colleagues for hosting a group that “actively works against the rights of other British Columbians.”
Multiple members of the BC Conservatives renewed their long standing opposition to the Speculation and Vacancy tax, declaring it was “time to scrap it.” Rustad himself called it a “tax grab” and an “asset tax.”
John Rustad and the BC Conservatives have advocated for higher pay for themselves, even while voting to protect his MLAs double-dipping two taxpayer funded salaries.