Latest news with #JohnRustad
National Post
17 hours ago
- Politics
- National Post
After B.C. Conservative leader made claim of MLA blackmailers in his own party, NDP asked RCMP to investigate
Premier David Eby said earlier this week after learning of the blackmail allegations that Rustad needed to take the claims to police, and if he didn't, then the NDP would. 'It is a profound and serious allegation that also strikes at the core of this place behind me and the public's confidence in the fact that legislators and staff members need to be able to do their work for the people without interference,' Eby said during a news conference outside the legislature on Tuesday. Tim Thielmann is the chief of staff for the new One BC party formed by Brodie and Tara Armstrong, who is the third ex-Conservative MLA. He blamed Eby for the NDP calling in the police, saying it was 'extremely irresponsible.' 'By his own admission, he is relying upon John Rustad's claims of blackmail, and when John Rustad has been asked for evidence, he has been unable to provide a single shred,' said Thielmann. He called the accusations in Rustad's letter to the Conservative caucus 'desperate lies' that he 'invented' to attack people exposing what happened at the party's annual general meeting. He said the case could 'cross the threshold for public mischief.' Brodie made the same argument in her social media post. 'If Rustad asks for a police investigation knowing his allegations are false, he might himself be committing the crime of public mischief under section 140 of the Criminal Code,' she said. 'But if he doesn't, he will have exposed his own big lie. 'And as for David Eby, he should know better than to attempt to instigate a police investigation when he admits to having absolutely no evidence of any wrongdoing.' Brodie was thrown out of the B.C. Conservatives over remarks about residential schools, prompting Armstrong and Kealy to quit the party in sympathy. Kealy, who is not a member of the new One BC party, said Thursday that he was 'completely fine' with the RCMP being called to investigate. 'I've got nothing to hide if they want to talk to me,' said Kealy. 'I have chosen to leave it to people that are in the position to properly investigate this thoroughly and to look into whether or not they're allegations being made falsely,' said Kealy. Armstrong said on social media on Wednesday that 'Rustad and Eby can throw around the accusations all they like but rest assured, the truth will always prevail.' Brodie has said Rustad and his team 'rigged' the Conservatives' March annual general meeting that endorsed his 'Team Rustad' slate of executive candidates, allegedly stacking the meeting with South Asian supporters paid 'to vote the way Mr. Rustad wanted.' Rustad's letter denied any wrongdoing at the meeting. — With additional reporting from Wolfgang Depner in Victoria Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here.
CTV News
18 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
NDP asks RCMP to investigate B.C. blackmail claims
Vancouver Watch The B.C. NDP is asking police to investigate blackmail claims made by Opposition Leader John Rustad.
CBC
21 hours ago
- Politics
- CBC
NDP asks RCMP to investigate B.C. Conservative blackmail claims
Social Sharing The B.C. NDP is asking the RCMP to investigate allegations made by B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad that three MLAs who left the party have tried to blackmail their former colleagues. The allegations were revealed in an undated letter written by Rustad, leaked to media on Monday. "In the letter John Rustad says the word blackmail 14 times and alleges criminal activity," said NDP caucus chair Stephanie Higginson. That's why she sent a letter to the B.C. RCMP's top commander calling for an investigation. WATCH | John Rustad alleges blackmail: B.C. Conservative leader's letter alleges blackmail by ex-members 2 days ago Duration 10:04 In a letter leaked to media on Monday, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad alleges that a group of legislators who left his party are threatening to release texts and messages to intimidate members of his caucus. It comes after two Conservative defectors formed the OneBC party. Tim Thielmann, the chief of staff for the OneBC leader, called the allegations a desperate attempt by Rustad to cling to power. Rustad alleged in his letter that the three MLAs and their staff threatened to release text messages and secret recordings, using that to blackmail some B.C. Conservative caucus staff into quitting and working for them. "They are attempting to blackmail individuals into taking jobs or contracts with them while simultaneously attempting to force them to do or say certain things in order to prevent blackmail materials from being leaked," Rustad wrote in the letter. In the letter, Rustad described the behaviour as "unethical, abusive, and potentially criminal." Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie was kicked out of the Conservative caucus in March for her statements about residential schools. Tara Armstrong of Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream and Jordan Kealy of Peace River North left the party shortly after in solidarity. All three have denied that they engaged in blackmail, pointing out that Rustad has not produced any evidence to support his claims. Higginson sent a letter to B.C. RCMP Commanding Officer Dwayne McDonald on Thursday asking the police force to investigate. "There is a significant public interest in determining the facts of this matter," the letter reads. "Blackmail is a serious crime. If any MLA or their legislative staff are engaged in it, British Columbians deserve to know, and any perpetrators should be prosecuted. British Columbians also deserve to know if Mr. Rustad, the Leader of the Official Opposition, is not in possession of evidence to support his accusations." RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Vanessa Munn said in a statement that the agency had received the letter. "The matter is under review and assessment," she said. Higginson's letter follows comments from Premier David Eby on Tuesday about the allegations. "Mr. Rustad needs to explain to the public what's happening," Eby said. "He needs to bring the information he has to the police. These are very serious allegations. And if he fails to bring them to the police, for whatever reason, then we will bring them to the police to make sure this is properly and thoroughly investigated." Since leaving the B.C. Conservative caucus in March, Brodie, Armstrong and Kealy have sat as Independents. Last week, Brodie and Armstrong announced their new political party, called One B.C. Kealy did not join the party. WATCH | 2 MLAs launch OneBC: 2 Independent MLAs launch new political party 7 days ago Duration 2:13 One MLA who was kicked out of the B.C. Conservative caucus and another who left in solidarity are forming a new political party. Katie DeRosa has more on what the party stands for and what it means for the official opposition. Brodie's chief of staff, Tim Thielmann, called the NDP's letter to the RCMP a "perversion of our justice system." "By David Eby's own admission, that he doesn't have any evidence upon which to initiate this police investigation," Thielmann said. "When John Rustad has been asked to produce evidence of his allegation, he has been unable to do so." Kealy said in a statement the allegations are false. "This is what a desperate man looks like. John Rustad is losing control, so he lashes out. He lies. He manipulates. He throws wild accusations into the wind hoping they'll stick. "Let the RCMP look into it. I have absolutely nothing to hide." Hamish Telford, a political scientist from the University of the Fraser Valley, said the NDP is trying to capitalize on dissension within the Conservative ranks. "I think the NDP is stirring the pot," Telford said. Higginson denies that her letter to the RCMP was politically motivated. "The easiest thing for me as the caucus chair, and perhaps even for the NDP, to do right now is to sit back and watch this internal mudslinging that's happening," she said. "But these are very serious allegations."
The Province
a day ago
- Politics
- The Province
NDP ask RCMP to probe John Rustad's blackmail allegations against former caucus members
In a letter to caucus, Rustad has alleged three MLAs who left the Conservative party and their staff are using texts and recordings to threaten current members VANCOUVER, BC - October 19, 2024 - John Rustad at Conservative party during BC Provincial election inside Rocky Mountaineer Station in Vancouver, BC, October 19, 2024. (Arlen Redekop / Postmedia staff photo) (Story by reporter) [PNG Merlin Archive] Photo by Arlen Redekop / PNG The NDP have written to the B.C. RCMP requesting an investigation into Conservative Leader John Rustad's allegations of blackmail by three former members of his caucus who left to sit as independents in March. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors In the letter, NDP caucus chair Stephanie Higginson wrote that 'blackmail is a serious crime' and that the public deserves to know if any of their provincial representatives or their staff have committed a crime. 'If any MLA or their legislative staff are engaged in it, British Columbians deserve to know, and any perpetrators should be prosecuted,' Higginson said to Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald. 'British Columbians also deserve to know if Mr. Rustad, the Leader of the Official Opposition, is not in possession of evidence to support his accusations.' The request from the NDP comes after a five-page letter Rustad sent to members of his caucus last week was leaked to the Canadian Press. In it, the Conservative leader alleged that Dallas Brodie, Tara Armstrong, Jordan Kealy and their staff are attempting to get MLAs and staff to leave the Conservatives or else private text messages and audio recordings containing sensitive information will be released. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'From what I have been told, the threat is framed as something like: we will pay you handsomely to join with us, and we will damage you if you refuse,' said Rustad in the letter. 'They are also threatening people with potential character assassination, and making other veiled threats — including about affecting people's personal lives and families.' B.C. premier David Eby and B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad. Photo by Richard Lam/Postmedia; Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press On Tuesday, Premier David Eby warned Rustad that if he did not provide the information he possessed regarding the allegations to police, his party would request a formal investigation itself. The three independents have defended themselves against the charges levelled by Rustad, stating that the Conservatives are simply trying to forestall a 'caucus revolt' and that the allegations are 'wild, false and defamatory.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Instead they say Rustad's letter is meant to cover up alleged improprieties at the Conservative's AGM in February in which Tim Thielmann, Brodie's chief of staff, lost out on a bid for party president to incumbent Aisha Estey. 'All his letter was (is) just another attempt to lash out at others in order to deflect criticism of his own misconduct, just like he smeared Dallas Brodie with an out-of-context 3.5 second clip when she exposed the truth about the false claims of discovered remains in Kamloops,' reads a press release from the new OneBC party started by Brodie and Armstrong. They say they have not threatened any Conservative MLAs or party staff, nor have they offered them any benefits. None of the allegations, from Rustad, OneBC or the NDP, have been substantiated. Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks BC Lions Local News World
CTV News
a day ago
- Politics
- CTV News
B.C. NDP caucus asks RCMP to investigate Rustad's claim of MLA blackmailers
B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad speaks to reporters following the throne speech at the legislature in Victoria, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito VICTORIA — The chair of British Columbia's NDP caucus has written to the RCMP requesting an investigation into allegations that former members of the Opposition tried to blackmail ex-colleagues. The letter from Stephanie Higginson to Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald comes after B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad confirmed the authenticity of a letter to his caucus warning about the alleged blackmail by three MLAs and their staff. Higginson says in the open letter written on behalf of the NDP caucus that there's a significant public interest in determining the facts. She says if any MLA or their staff are engaged in blackmail, British Columbians deserve to know, and perpetrators should be prosecuted. On Monday, Rustad confirmed the authenticity of a letter obtained by The Canadian Press in which he tells this caucus that their former colleagues and staff were threatening to release 'blackmail materials,' including secretly recorded phone conversations and text messages. Higginson says British Columbians deserve to know whether Rustad has any evidence to support his accusations. 'Given the accusations of criminal activity, it seems appropriate for police to examine any relevant information in Mr. Rustad's possession to determine if additional investigation and/or criminal charges are necessary,' Higginson says. Rustad has not named the former Conservatives he is accusing, but Dallas Brodie, who was ejected from the caucus in March, said in a statement on Monday that his letter consisted of 'wild lies' about her new One BC party, launched with fellow former Conservative Tara Armstrong last week. Brodie was thrown out of the B.C. Conservatives over remarks about residential schools, prompting Armstrong and Jordan Kealy to quit the party in sympathy. Kealy has said he knows nothing about Rustad's allegations. NDP Premier David Eby had already said that the RCMP should be called in to look at Rustad's claims. Armstrong said on social media that 'Rustad and Eby can throw around the accusations all they like but rest assured, the truth will always prevail.' Higginson's letter was copied to Rustad. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2025.
