By Cheryl Jahn

Rustad “did what he promised”

Feb 27, 2025 | 3:27 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Housing, health care, affordability. Those are just a few of the reasons why BC Opposition Leader John Rustad introduced the vote on non-confidence in the Legislature.

“When I looked at the throne speech, I looked at all the issues that we have around the province, whether it’s affordability, whether it’s housing, whether it’s our ER closures and health care, whether it is the drugs on our streets, whether it is the crime that’s going on,” says Rustad, noting the throne speech addresses none of those issues.

While the vote is early, political analyst Chris Beach says the Opposition Leader is simply doing what he promised from the beginning.

“Well, I don’t think it’s a surprise because on election night, John Rusted made a promise that he would challenge this bare majority NDP government at the earliest possibility with a non-confidence vote in the legislature. And he did that. So, you know, I think he deserves credit for that. He is sticking to his guns and he’s doing what he promised to do,” says Chris Beach, Political Science Instructor from the College of New Caledonia.

Spruce Kings fall in Langley to Rivermen

1h ago

Sexual Assault and Harassment

Judge to rule on Canada Post employee's sexual assault and harassment case

17h ago

Weather Alerts

Freezing rain warning issued for Prince George-area, snowfall warning remains for Williston, Pine Pass

21h ago

Beach suspects part of the non-confidence vote arose from a promise to help with affordability that never happened for British Columbians. Typically the throne speech is a snapshot of what is coming in the budget, which is generally a confidence-decider.

Rustad says he is not expecting any relief to come from the budget.

“I’m not expecting any tax relief for people in the budget. I’m actually would be surprised if they didn’t come forward with some tax increases in their budget. That seems to be their pattern. They’ll of course couch it in some sort of nice flowery words. But pouring honey in someone’s ear does not make it better.”

Had the motion succeeded, it would have forced the NDP to dissolve the government and send British Columbians back to the polls.