By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Media Wall NewsMedia Wall NewsMedia Wall News
  • Home
  • Canada
  • World
  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Trump’s Trade War 🔥
  • English
    • Français (French)
Reading: BC Conservative Blackmail Accusation by Former MLAs, Leader Alleges
Share
Font ResizerAa
Media Wall NewsMedia Wall News
Font ResizerAa
  • Economics
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Technology
Search
  • Home
  • Canada
  • World
  • Election 2025 🗳
  • Trump’s Trade War 🔥
  • Ukraine & Global Affairs
  • English
    • Français (French)
Follow US
© 2025 Media Wall News. All Rights Reserved.
Media Wall News > Politics > BC Conservative Blackmail Accusation by Former MLAs, Leader Alleges
Politics

BC Conservative Blackmail Accusation by Former MLAs, Leader Alleges

Daniel Reyes
Last updated: June 16, 2025 6:20 PM
Daniel Reyes
1 month ago
Share
SHARE

The political landscape in British Columbia took a dramatic turn yesterday when Conservative Leader John Rustad alleged that two former MLAs attempted to blackmail him before defecting to David Eby’s NDP government.

In a surprising announcement that sent ripples through provincial politics, Rustad claimed Lorne Doerkson and Cheryl Ashlie threatened to release “damaging information” unless he agreed to step down as party leader.

“They wanted me to resign, and then when I said no, they said, ‘Well, if you don’t resign, we’re going to release some damaging information about you,'” Rustad told reporters at a hastily arranged press conference in Prince George.

The accusations come at a critical moment for B.C.’s political landscape. The Conservatives have been gaining momentum in recent polls, with some showing them potentially forming the next government. This dramatic internal conflict threatens to derail what had been building into a legitimate challenge to Premier David Eby’s NDP government.

Doerkson and Ashlie, who announced their departure from the Conservative caucus earlier this week, quickly denied the allegations. In a joint statement released through their lawyer, they called Rustad’s claims “categorically false” and suggested the accusations were “a desperate attempt to control the narrative.”

Political scientist Hamish Telford from the University of the Fraser Valley sees this as potentially devastating for the party’s credibility. “Right when they were building momentum with voters who are dissatisfied with both the NDP and BC United, they’re now embroiled in this internal drama that raises questions about the party’s stability,” Telford explained in a telephone interview.

The Conservative Party has experienced significant growth since Rustad took over leadership, climbing from virtual obscurity to becoming a serious contender in the upcoming election scheduled for October. This surge has largely come at the expense of BC United (formerly the Liberal Party), creating a more complicated electoral math for all parties involved.

Premier David Eby declined to comment directly on the allegations but welcomed the former Conservative MLAs, saying they “chose to put their constituents above partisan politics.” The timing raises questions, as the defections occurred just months before British Columbians head to the polls.

For everyday voters in communities like Prince George and Cariboo-Chilcotin, where Doerkson held his seat, the political drama adds another layer of uncertainty. “We elected someone to represent our Conservative values, not to jump ship whenever it’s convenient,” said local business owner Janet Kwan, expressing frustration shared by many in the region.

The alleged blackmail attempt centers around what Rustad describes as “fabricated claims” about his leadership and personal conduct. While he didn’t elaborate on the specific nature of these claims, he insisted they were “completely manufactured” in an effort to force him out.

Political strategist Bill Tieleman suggests this could actually galvanize support for Rustad among the party faithful. “Conservative supporters often respond positively when their leader appears to be standing up against what they perceive as establishment forces trying to silence them,” Tieleman noted during a CBC Radio panel discussion.

Meanwhile, Elections BC confirmed they are reviewing the situation but haven’t yet determined if the matter falls within their jurisdiction. The RCMP has not commented on whether any formal complaints have been filed regarding the alleged blackmail attempt.

This controversy emerges against a backdrop of significant policy challenges facing British Columbia, including the ongoing housing crisis, healthcare system pressures, and economic uncertainty. The drama threatens to pull focus from these substantive issues as the election approaches.

Bruce Anderson, chairman of Abacus Data, points out that internal party conflicts often hurt voter confidence. “Our polling consistently shows that voters punish parties they perceive as disorganized or focused on internal squabbles rather than public service,” Anderson explained in an email exchange.

For Rustad, who left the BC Liberal caucus (now BC United) to eventually lead the Conservatives, the challenge will be maintaining party unity while navigating these serious allegations. Several remaining Conservative MLAs have publicly backed their leader, with Kelowna-Mission MLA Renee Merrifield calling the situation “disappointing but clarifying.”

As British Columbians prepare for what was already shaping up to be a consequential election, this unexpected drama adds another unpredictable element to a province known for its volatile politics. Whether Rustad’s allegations strengthen his position or undermine the Conservative momentum remains to be seen, but the political temperature in British Columbia has certainly risen.

You Might Also Like

Alberta NDP Separates from Federal NDP to Expand Provincial Base

Mark Carney Post Election Press Conference Highlights

Parliament Resumes Canada 2025 Amid Domestic, Global Turmoil

AFN Chief Warns Alberta Separation Threatens Indigenous Treaty Rights

Think Tank Urges Federal Public Service Job Cuts Canada

TAGGED:BC Conservative PartyBC Provincial Politicsélections provincialesJohn RustadMLA DefectionsPolitical Blackmail AllegationsPolitique Colombie-Britannique
Share This Article
Facebook Email Print
ByDaniel Reyes
Follow:

Investigative Journalist, Disinformation & Digital Threats

Based in Vancouver

Daniel specializes in tracking disinformation campaigns, foreign influence operations, and online extremism. With a background in cybersecurity and open-source intelligence (OSINT), he investigates how hostile actors manipulate digital narratives to undermine democratic discourse. His reporting has uncovered bot networks, fake news hubs, and coordinated amplification tied to global propaganda systems.

Previous Article York Region Nail Salon Health Violations Lead to Charges
Next Article Trump Carney Trade Deal G7 2025 Summit Talks
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Find Us on Socials

Latest News

Canada Post Election 2025 Disruption Sparks Concern Ahead of Key Vote
Election 2025 🗳
US Canada Trade Relations 2024: Commerce Chief Says Free Trade Still Intact
Politics
Gaza Child Hunger Crisis 2025 Escalates as Another Death Reported
Crisis in the Middle East
Russia Ukraine Peace Talks 2024: Russia Signals Openness, Demands Ukraine Retreat
Ukraine & Global Affairs
logo

Canada’s national media wall. Bilingual news and analysis that cuts through the noise.

Top Categories

  • Politics
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Economics
  • Disinformation Watch 🔦
  • U.S. Politics
  • Ukraine & Global Affairs

More Categories

  • Culture
  • Democracy & Rights
  • Energy & Climate
  • Health
  • Justice & Law
  • Opinion
  • Society

About Us

  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Language

  • English
    • Français (French)

Find Us on Socials

© 2025 Media Wall News. All Rights Reserved.