BC Conservative leader John Rustad fends off dissidents at convention to retain party control

B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad, who took over a political vehicle with no elected members two years ago and almost won last fall’s provincial election, fended off dissidents to retain control of his party at a weekend convention.The Conservatives formed British Columbia’s official opposition in the October 2024 election. On Saturday, as 750 members of the party gathered for their first meeting since the election, and Mr. Rustad had a two-part agenda: He wanted to retain control of the party executive, and to pass constitutional changes that would only require such a gathering every four years.