Longtime B.C. Liberal MLA removed from caucus after questioning climate change science
CBC
B.C. Liberal leader Kevin Falcon has removed longtime MLA John Rustad from the party caucus after Rustad boosted a social media post casting doubt on climate change science and urging people to "celebrate CO2."
In posts on both Facebook and Twitter, Rustad, the MLA for the Nechako Lakes riding west of Prince George, shared a graphic and post arguing that people had been "hoodwinked" by climate change science and they should be glad CO2 is being emitted into the atmosphere.
In response, Kevin Falcon, who was elected leader of the party in February, distanced himself from Rustad's stance, tweeting, "#ClimateChange is one of the most critical threats facing our future," and that Rustad "does not speak on behalf of caucus on this issue."
That tweet went out Wednesday, and on Thursday, Falcon issued the following statement: "Politics is a team sport, and British Columbians expect their elected officials to work co-operatively on the important issues facing our province.
"Following a pattern of behaviour that was not supportive of our caucus team and the principles of mutual respect and trust, I have removed MLA John Rustad from the B.C. Liberal Caucus effective immediately."
Falcon told CBC he tried to get in touch with Rustad following the tweet in question but could not reach him until Thursday. When they spoke, he told him he needed to be a "team player."
"I couldn't get the satisfaction he's prepared to be a team player, so I fired him from caucus."
WATCH | Falcon explains why he removed Rustad from the Liberal caucus:
Falcon says Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone will become interim forestry critic.
In an interview with CBC, Rustad noted it was his birthday and said news of his ouster was "an interesting birthday present."
Rustad said he believes "real harm" is being done by global climate policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, and he said he felt it was important for him to speak out about them.
Specifically, he said, efforts at reducing nitrogen-based fertilizers would contribute to global food shortages, and combined with rising fuel prices, he can no longer keep his opinions to himself for the sake of party unity, adding, "I guess that debate isn't welcome in our caucus."
Rustad said he believes climate change is happening and that humans are contributing — a change from his stance in 2021 when he declined to answer that question.
However, he argued the role of carbon emissions in that change is a "theory" and "should be open to debate."
About 100 people gathered outside the Colonial Building in St. John’s on Saturday for an anti-war rally. They were met with some counter-protesters, highlighting different views on the Iran war.
The two candidates hoping to become Quebec's next premier in less than a month took part in a first official sparring match Saturday, with Christine Fréchette accusing her opponent of having a big ego and bringing the debate over shale gas back to the forefront.
Amanda Lathlin, the first First Nations woman to be elected to the legislative assembly in Manitoba's history, has died, the provincial NDP said on Saturday.
Colten Poitras describes Indian relay as an extreme sport.
After more than 48 hours of heavy rainfall, conditions began to ease Saturday morning, but the City of Fernie, B.C., says untreated wastewater is still being released into the Elk River.
An Alberta town reeling from the loss of its rinks has advanced to the final stage of a national competition, with $250,000 on the line.
Members of the new Arctic Canada Tourism Network want to make sure their industry has a voice in conversations about the future of the Arctic.
People continue to flock to Banff National Park.
Two Toronto councillors have brought forward a motion to ban raising foreign flags at Toronto City Hall and civic centres.
Thousands of Maritime Electric customers in multiple communities across Queens County are without power Saturday morning.
Three weeks into the conflict in the Middle East, the joint U.S.-Israel onslaught has killed much of Iran's leadership, knocked out much of its ballistic missile capability, sunk nearly all of its navy and, according to U.S. President Donald Trump, has "militarily WON" the war already.
Sometimes to understand the weather, you have to fly straight into it.
When he was a student at what was then known as the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, Andrew Scott had a professor who regularly said that painting was something that could be done until someone dropped dead, while rock n' roll had a best-before date.