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Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad not seeking re-election

  • Wolfgang Depner

    Wolfgang Depner

  • Canadian Press

  • September 23, 2026

Then-B. C. Conservative Leader John Rustad gives a thumbs up after addressing supporters on election night in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 19, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

The British Columbia Conservative Party says its former leader, Nechako Lakes legislator John Rustad, will not be standing in the Oct. 24 election. 

A statement from the party extends its "deepest thanks" to Rustad, who brought the party from legislative obscurity to the brink of power in 2024.

The party says it would "never have reached where it is today without his conviction, hard work and willingness to stand up when few others would."

The statement wishes Rustad and his family "all the every best." 

Rustad served as a cabinet minister in the former BC Liberal government before crossing the floor to sit as the sole B.C. Conservative legislator in 2023, then leading the party to win 44 ridings in the next year's provincial election.

He has represented his northern B.C. riding of Nechako Lakes since 2005.

Rustad had recently been ejected from the Conservative caucus just days before Kerry-Lynne Findlay's resignation as party leader.

But he was invited back into the fold by interim Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson, who as appointed after Findlay stepped down on Sunday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 23, 2026.