Ex-B.C. Liberal MLA John Rustad crosses floor to join B.C. Conservatives

Former longtime B.C. LiberalMLA John Rustad has crossed the floor to join the B.C. Conservatives, becoming the latter party's only elected member months after he was tossed from his old caucus.

Rustad, whorepresentsNechako Lakes in northern B.C. west of Prince George, made the announcement on Thursday.

"As British Columbians, we need to fight for a stronger, freer and, this is key more compassionate province. A province that understands the importance of fighting for personal freedoms, good jobs for working people, and lower costs of living for families," read a statement from Rustad about the decision.

"There is only one party that is offering genuine opposition to our NDP government and that's the Conservative Party of British Columbia."

Rustadhad been sitting as an Independent since he was kicked out of the Liberals' caucus in August forboostingan online post casting doubt on the science behind climate change.

Atthe time, Rustad told CBC News he believed global climate policies designed to reduce carbon emissions were doing "real harm," andit was important for him to speak out about them.

WATCH | Rustad says he wants to debate environmental policies:

Ousted MLA argues climate science, policy should be open to debate

2 years ago

Duration 0:24

Longtime MLA John Rustad has been removed from the B.C. Liberal Party after he boosted a social media post questioning climate change science.

Rustad was first elected to office in 2005 as a representative for the riding of Prince George-Omineca, which was later dissolved and replaced by the current Nechako Lakes riding.

Under then-premier Christy Clark, he served as minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and, later, of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.

Before his removal from caucus, Rustad served as forestry critic for the B.C. Liberals.

At the time, B.C. Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon said he fired Rustad"following a pattern of behaviour that was not supportive of our caucus team and the principles of mutual respect and trust."

The B.C. Conservative Party has not won a seat in the provincial legislature for decades, even afterpopularity rose during former Tory MP John Cummins's tenure as leader from 2011 to 2013.

The party's leader, Trevor Bolin, does not hold a seat in the legislature and the party received about 36,000 votes provincewidein the most recent election, representing less than two per cent of the all votes.

With Rustad crossing the floor to become its only elected MLA, the party is one seat away from earning official party status.

Speaking to CBC after the announcement, Bolin said having a sitting MLA in the legislature is an "exciting" moment for the party.

Bolin said he had reviewed Rustad's past social media comments and said he welcomed differences of opinions.

"He had questions that he wanted answered and the party at the time didn't answer them, and here we are."

WATCH |B.C. Liberal leader Kevin Falcon fires MLA for questioning climate chance science

B.C. Liberal leader Kevin Falcon fires MLA for questioning climate chance science

2 years ago

Duration 1:34

Longtime northern B.C. MLA John Rustad has been removed from his party's caucus after a series of problematic social media posts.