John Rustad
John Rustad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rustad in 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leader of the Opposition of British Columbia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office October 19, 2024 – December 4, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Kevin Falcon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Trevor Halford | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office March 31, 2023 – December 4, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Trevor Bolin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Trevor Halford (interim) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for Nechako Lakes Prince George-Omineca (2005–2009) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office May 17, 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Paul Nettleton | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | August 18, 1963 Prince George, British Columbia, Canada | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Party | BC Conservative (2024–present) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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John Rustad MLA (born August 18, 1963) is a Canadian politician who served as the leader of the Opposition in British Columbia from 2024 to 2025 and leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia from 2023 to 2025. He has served as the member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (MLA) for Nechako Lakes since 2009.
A former BC Liberal before his expulsion from caucus in 2022, he was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2005, representing Prince George-Omineca. He served in Premier Christy Clark's cabinet as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, and Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations.
His position as party leader was disputed due to a vote by the Conservative Party caucus to replace him as leader with Trevor Halford and a statement by the party executive declaring Rustad to be "professionally incapacitated". Rustad rejected the description and insisted he was still leader of the party, but he resigned as party leader on December 4, 2025.