“This is hard, it’s really hard.”
Those were the words from BC United Leader Kevin Falcon who suspended his party’s campaign today (Wednesday) and is endorsing the Conservatives, averting a likely vote split during October’s fall election.
During a press conference in Vancouver, Falcon told the media while he and John Rustad didn’t always see eye-to-see, especially during a failed merger attempt in the spring, a tough choice needed to be made.
“This is the right thing to do for British Columbia. This is the right thing to do for that next generation of British Columbians that want to grow up in a province like we grew up in where hope and optimism were not the exception but the rule.”
“This is hard, it’s really hard and I accept all the responsibility good and bad – all of it should rest on my shoulders. That is what leadership is all about.”
Conservative Leader John Rustad stated keeping people in BC remains one of their top priorities and the only way to do that is by making life more affordable.
“When one-in-three British Columbians are thinking about leaving this province and when one-in-two youth are thinking about leaving this province, that says something very strongly about the despair this province has realized under an NDP government.”
He mentioned regardless of what your political affiliation is, making BC a better place to live remains his top priority.
“It’s not about being Conservative or Liberal or NDP or Green for that matter. It’s about standing for what is right and fighting for the average everyday person and bringing common sense change back to British Columbia.”
All BC United nominations will be withdrawn and the BC Conservatives say they will be able to recruit “from BC United’s pool of incredible incumbent MLAs and candidates.”
The BC Election is set for October 19th.
Rustad comes full circle
It’s been a whirlwind couple of years in the political game for the Nechako Lakes MLA and former longtime member of the former BC Liberals.
In August of 2022, Rustad was ousted by Falcon from the Liberal party over some controversial social media posts regarding climate change and later became an Independent in the Legislature.
Be the first to know! Don’t miss out on breaking news and daily updates in your area. Sign up to MyKootenayNow News Alerts.