Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad is throwing his support behind longtime politician and former Vancouver Board of Trade CEO and President Iain Black for the Conservative Party leadership race.
Rustad, who led the provincial Tories to a resurgence in the last election before stepping down as leader in December told Vista Radio that Black’s experience is undeniable.
“Iain has cabinet experience, which really matters when you are coming into an election with not a lot of other folks that have been in an election but also his business experience is really specializing in turnarounds and making the hard decisions that have to be made.”
“British Columbia desperately needs someone that can lead that turnaround by making hard decisions.”
Speaking of Black’s political prowess, he spent six years as an MLA for the Port Moody-Coquitlam riding under the former B.C. Liberals alongside then-premier Gordon Campbell.
During this time, Black oversaw various portfolios including the Minister of Labour and Citizen Services (2008-2009), Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development (June 2009 to October of 2010) and Labour Minister (October 2010-March of 2011).
He was excluded from cabinet after Christy Clark was sworn in as Premier in March of 2011 and was named parliamentary secretary for public transportation.
Black exited provincial politics and re-entered the business world becoming President and CEO of the Vancouver Board of Trade.
“At the end of the day, its about who has been able to connect with members. I don’t think this is going to be won on the first ballot, it may very well go to the fourth count before declaring a winner but I think Iain has the best opportunity to come out of the gate strong and build up support as other candidates drop out of the race.” added Rustad.
Rustad also believes Black’s even-keel demeanor can help unite the party.
“I think it is one of the big roles of the next leader to keep those who are willing in the centre-right together and being able to bridge some of those differences and keep things at a high level so that the populous, the people voting in this province can get to see a true alternative compared to what the NDP is doing to this province.”
“I think he is the guy that bring us together and bridge some of those differences that exist within our party.”
The four other candidates also vying for the Conservative leadership include former Kamloops Mayor and current MLA Peter Milobar, former Federal Minister Kerry-Lynne Findlay who was the Chief Opposition Whip under Conservative Leader Pierre Pollievre.
She was also the Minister of National Revenue under former Prime Minister Stephen Harper from July of 2013 to November of 2015 as well as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice.
On Monday, Findlay dodged questions regarding an election probe due to possible breaches of the Canada Elections Act.
Fulmer is an Australian-Canadian businessmen who ran as the Conservative Party candidate in the West Vancouver-Sea-to-Sky riding during the 2024 provincial election – a seat that was won by Jeremy Valeriote of the Green Party.
Elliott on the other hand, has a PhD in Political Science from Simon Fraser University and spent several years playing a key-role in the Site C Dam energy project. She too worked under premier Campbell advising the Ministry of Transportation and Environment.
Votes have to be in and tallied by Friday.
The party is set to name its new leader on Saturday night with a reception at the Vancouver Railway Club.
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