BC United to suspend campaign amid surge in support for BC Conservatives: sources

The party that currently forms B.C.'s official Opposition will suspend its campaign and won't run any candidates in the upcoming provincial election, sources tell CTV news.

British Columbia

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad Not Aw Shucks Guy He Bills Himself As
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/113006024737921943

[Canada] B.C. Conservative leader meets Jordan Peterson, praises Freedom Convoy accused
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/112968510846662033

Checked: B.C. Conservatives Claims about Trans People
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/112989524182396653

#Canada #BritishColumbia #BCUnited #BCLiberals #BCconservatives #conservatism #JohnRustad #antiLGBT #SOGI #FarRight #homophobia #transphobia #disinformation #JordanPeterson #JoeRogan #ChristianRight

B.C. United suspends campaign to merge w. B.C. Conservatives
Under Leader John Rustad B.C. Conservatives climbing in polls & raking in donations
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-united-suspends-campaign-to-merge-with-b-c-conservatives-1.7307302

* move intended to unite right-of-centre [i.e. far-right; Christian right] vote ahead of 2024-Oct-19th B.C. provincial election

#Canada #BritishColumbia #BCUnited #BCLiberals

#BCconservatives #conservatism #JohnRustad #antiLGBT #SOGI

#FarRight #homophobia #transphobia #disinformation #JordanPeterson #JoeRogan #ChristianRight

B.C. United suspends campaign to join forces with B.C. Conservative Party | CBC News

The B.C. United Party is suspending its campaign to join forces with the surging Conservative Party of B.C. in a move intended to unite the right-of-centre vote ahead of the October 19th provincial election.

CBC

Re: [2024-Aug-28] B.C. United suspends campaign to merge w. B.C. Conservatives

Literally 4 months ago:

[2024-Apr-13] B.C. Liberal Party name change to BC United builds bridges to the future: Falcon 🤔
https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/b-c-liberal-party-name-change-to-bc-united-builds-bridges-to-the-future-falcon-1.6353924

* new name/branding for political party once led by premiers Gordon Campbell & Christy Clark
* "What an incredible moment" Kevin Falcon told party members

Stupid name, btw ... 💩 ⚽️

#Canada #BritishColumbia #BCUnited #BCLiberals #KevinFalcon #BCpolitics #ineptitude

B.C. Liberal Party name change to BC United builds bridges to the future: Falcon

Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon lowered the curtain on the British Columbia Liberal Party Wednesday, ushering in BC United, a new name and branding for the political party once led by premiers Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark.

Vancouver Island

Freedom Convoy Donor List incl. Candidates for John Rustad’s BC Conservatives
One candidate was headline speaker at convoy conference with BC Conservative leader Rustad
https://pressprogress.ca/freedom-convoy-donor-list-includes-names-of-several-candidates-for-john-rustads-bc-conservatives

Canada convoy protest: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_convoy_protest
John Rustad: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rustad

Canadian Far-Right Convoy to Save the Children
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/110834884648022953

Convoy org. try to quash $300M lawsuit
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/110798517195711411

#Canada #conservatism #JohnRustad #antiLGBT #FarRight #ChristianRight #FreedomConvoy

Freedom Convoy Donor List Includes Names of Several Candidates for John Rustad’s BC Conservatives

One BC Conservative candidate was a headline speaker at a convoy conference alongside BC Conservative leader John Rustad

PressProgress

B.C. Conservative leader outlines views on energy, education in Jordan Peterson interview
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-conservative-leader-outlines-views-on-energy-education-in-jordan-peterson-interview-1.7023336

* John Rustad: B.C. needs conversation about nuclear power, review educational materials wh. he says indoctrinate children
* wants to elim. carbon tax wh. he says taxes people into poverty in vain attempt to change weather

#BCconservatives #JohnRustad #BCunited #BCliberals #JordanPeterson #antiLGBT #ClimateDenial #FarRight #ConspiracyTheorists #PseudoIntellectualism #disinformation

B.C. Conservative leader outlines views on energy, education in Jordan Peterson interview

B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says British Columbia needs to have a 'conversation' about nuclear power playing a role in the province's energy future, and review educational materials that he says are designed for "indoctrination" of children.

British Columbia

Right’s War on Media Comes to British Columbia
https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2024/09/05/Right-War-Media-Comes-BC

* Premier David Eby (NDP) said Rustad committed to ban books on climate science f. our classrooms
* BC Conservatives' Anthony Koch asked to comment
* no answer to simple/legitimate question
* just insults on X/Twitter - known for unfounded/bitter attacks

#InvestigativeJournalism #Tyee #BCconservatives #JohnRustad #conservatism #Poilievre #antiLGBT #ClimateDenial #FarRight #ConspiracyTheorists #disinformation #Xcorp #Twitter

The Right’s War on Media Comes to BC | The Tyee

A Tyee reporter asked a simple question. Rustad’s Conservatives attacked.

The Tyee

6 Things to Know about Rustad’s Chat w. Jordan Peterson
BC Conservative leader discussed distrust of climate science/other topics w. viral right-wing personality
https://thetyee.ca/News/2024/09/05/Six-Things-Rustad-Chat-Jordan-Peterson

B.C. Conservative leader outlines views on energy/education in Jordan Peterson interview
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/113074391811061384

#education #ClimateChange #BCconservatives #JohnRustad #JordanPeterson #antiLGBT #transphobia #ClimateDenial #FarRight #ConspiracyTheorists #PseudoIntellectualism #disinformation

Six Things to Know about Rustad’s Chat with Jordan Peterson | The Tyee

The BC Conservative leader discussed his distrust of climate science and other topics with the viral right-wing personality.

The Tyee

Populist rhetoric

BC Conservatives cry lawlessness after Vancouver stranger attacks
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/bc-conservatives-decry-lawlessness-after-gruesome-vancouver-stranger-attacks-1.7026421

Facts:
* random attack: Vancouver is safe
* crime/violent crime/unprovoked stranger attacks trending down
* VPD chief: Vancouver is not dying, Vancouver is not dead, Vancouver is not unsafe. That's all hyperbole, and it's not actually factual

Chip Wilson | Ken Sim | ABC Vancouver
Demonization, criminalization of homelessness
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/110873929767684022

#conservatism #Vancouver #BC

BC Conservatives decry 'lawlessness ' after gruesome Vancouver stranger attacks

After two grisly stranger attacks in downtown Vancouver, members of the BC Conservatives were quick to decry the crimes as the most recent example of the lawlessness and violence plaguing the city – directly contradicting statistics and assurances to the contrary provided by the chief of police.

British Columbia

Update:

Man charged with murder after deadly Vancouver stranger attacks
The suspect in an Vancouver 'unprovoked stranger attack' that left one man dead and another with his hand cut off has been charged
https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/highlights/man-charged-after-deadly-vancouver-stranger-attacks-9480580

* random attack by mentally ill person

#Vancouver #BritishColumbia #VPD #ViolentCrime #populism #BCconservatives #JohnRustad

Man charged with murder after deadly Vancouver stranger attacks

The suspect in an Vancouver 'unprovoked stranger attack' that left one man dead and another with his hand cut off has been charged.

Vancouver Is Awesome

Climate Denier John Rustad Now Major Player in British Columbia 2024-Oct Election
https://www.desmog.com/2024/09/05/climate-denier-john-rustad-is-now-a-major-player-in-bcs-october-election

* BC United (Liberals) party imploded
* leader of Conservative Party of BC John Rustad no longer fringe player
* fast-approaching provincial election
* Rustad’s fringe ideas, shared on Jordan Peterson’s podcast, condemned by Indigenous grps
* expressed incredulity that people worry about carbon emissions

#BCconservatives #JohnRustad #JordanPeterson #ClimateDenial #FarRight #disinformation

Climate Denier John Rustad Is Now a Major Player in BC’s October Election

The BC Conservative leader’s fringe ideas — shared on Jordan Peterson’s podcast — have earned condemnation from Indigenous groups.

DeSmog

Russian Disinformation/Right-Wing Influencers
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/113108176086366850

BC Conservative exec Angelo Isidorou; Lauren Southern
https://mastodon.social/@persagen/113108176086366850

Lauren Southern
* Cdn alt-right political activist/propagandist/commentator/transphobe/wh. nationalist
* Great Replacement/white genocide conspiracy theories

Angelo Isidorou
* billionaire-backed Vancouver is Dying homelessness/addiction-demonizing copaganda film

#LaurenSouthern #AngeloIsidorou #FarRight #antiLGBT #JohnRustad #BCconservatives

Anti-Climate Culture War Led by Jordan Peterson & Project 2025
Canadian influencer, U.S. religious right allies want people to see climate action as pseudo-religion
https://www.desmog.com/2024/09/09/inside-the-anti-climate-culture-war-led-by-jordan-peterson-and-project-2025

Comment: so many intersections that combinatorially appear, du jour:

#conservatism #BCconservatives #JohnRustad #JordanPeterson #JoeRogan #Poilievre #populism #ConspiracyTheories #ClimateChangeDenial #disinformation #libertariaianism #FarRight #ChristianRight #antiLGBT #transphobia #Project2025 #theocracy

Inside the Anti-Climate Culture War Led by Jordan Peterson and Project 2025

The Canadian influencer Jordan Peterson and his allies in the U.S. religious right want people to see climate action as a ‘pseudo-religion.’

DeSmog

BC United leaks extremism file on B.C. Conservative director Angelo Isidorou
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/bc-united-sources-leak-extremism-file-on-b-c-conservative-director-1.7031235

Comment: Isidorou was the producer of the Chip Wilson (billionaire: Pacific Prosperity Network; Take Back Alberta far-right political funder)-backed "Vancouver is Dying" copaganda film that demonized the homelessness and addiction treatment services (safe injection / harm reduction)

#LaurenSouthern #AngeloIsidorou #FarRight #antiLGBT #JohnRustad #BCconservatives #ChipWilson #TBA #billionaires

BC United sources leak 'extremism' file on B.C. Conservative director

Sources in the Official Opposition BC United party have leaked a file on the "extremism" of the B.C. Conservatives' executive director, Angelo Isidorou, less than two weeks after the parties' leaders announced a deal to work together.

British Columbia
John Rustad Is an Old-School Climate Change Denier | The Tyee

It’s ‘real’ but not really real, he says. And certainly not the fault of humans. Our latest BC election Logic Check.

The Tyee

Unpacking Rustad’s Pledge to Review British Columbia’s Textbooks
Educators/advocates ready for a fight
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2024/09/12/Unpacking-Rustad-Pledge-Review-BC-Textbooks

* proposing to review B.C. school books to ensure they’re "neutral" - By whose standards?
* pending election: statistical tie w. Premier David Eby’s incumbent BC NDP

#Canada #BritishColumbia #BCUnited #BCLiberals #BCconservatives #conservatism #JohnRustad #antiLGBT #SOGI #FarRight #populism #disinformation #ChristianRight #ParentalRightsMovement #BookBans #censorship

Unpacking Rustad’s Pledge to Review BC’s Textbooks | The Tyee

Educators and advocates are ready for a fight. It’s one they’ve won before.

The Tyee
The Troubling Far-Right Content on BC Conservatives’ Social Media | The Tyee

Candidates have faced criticism for ‘jokes’ about white nationalism and links to a far-right German politician’s speech.

The Tyee
BC Conservatives 'laser-focused' on mining as potential multi-billion revenue source

At a campaign stop in the Interior, the leader of the BC Conservatives heavily promoted the mining industry, pledging reforms he believes would unlock billions of dollars in annual government revenue.

British Columbia

[Canada] John Rustad Is Threat to First Nations, Threat to Reconciliation’
Indigenous leaders unpack BC Conservative leader’s statements on DRIPA, First Nations title ...
https://thetyee.ca/News/2024/09/27/Rustad-Threat-First-Nations-Reconciliation

Comment. On eve of Sep 30 Truth & Reconciliation Day, it's noted that John Rustad was minister of Aboriginal relations & reconciliation under BC Liberals so he knows better. No issues swapping ethics for votes, apparently.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Day_for_Truth_and_Reconciliation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Canada#Federal_statutory_holidays,_also_observed_in_some_provinces

#BCconservatives #JohnRustad

‘Rustad Is a Threat to First Nations and a Threat to Reconciliation’ | The Tyee

Indigenous leaders unpack the BC Conservative leader’s statements on DRIPA, First Nations title and more.

The Tyee

[Canada:BC] Leaked Dossier Reveals 200 Pages of Conspiracies & Controversial Statements f. John Rustad’s BC Conservative Candidates
Opposition research raises new questions about far-right extremism w.i. BC Conservative Party
https://pressprogress.ca/leaked-dossier-reveals-200-pages-of-conspiracies-and-controversial-statements-from-john-rustads-bc-conservative-candidates

NDP uses BC United research to attack crackpot BC Conservatives
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/ndp-uses-bc-united-research-to-mount-attacks-on-crackpot-b-c-conservatives-1.7055991

#BritishColumbia #BCconservatives #JohnRustad #antiLGBT #FarRight #disinformation #ChristianRight #censorship #ConspiracyTheorists #SystemicRacism #transphobia

Leaked Dossier Reveals 200 Pages of Conspiracies and Controversial Statements From John Rustad’s BC Conservati

BC United Party’s oppo research dossier raises new questions about far-right extremism inside the BC Conservative Party

PressProgress

Comment: exemplar, negative political/social effect of hucksters like John Rustad on progressive politicians (David Eby)
* ditto federal level: huckster Pierre Poilievre viz-a-viz Justin Trudeau

Critics say overdose crisis politicized in BC election
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/critics-see-drug-debate-tainted-by-politicization-in-b-c-election-campaign-1.7055809

* NDP would open "secure facilities" for involuntary care for people w. severe drug addiction or mental health problems
* policy unity with rival B.C. Conservatives ahead of fall election

#PublicHealth #addiction #populism

Critics see drug debate tainted by politicization in B.C. election campaign

When NDP Leader David Eby announced this month that the province would open "secure facilities" to provide involuntary care for people with severe drug addiction or mental health problems, it represented a moment of policy unity with the rival B.C. Conservatives ahead of the fall election.

British Columbia

B.C. voters: your future leadership

BC Conservative Candidate Mike Harris Blames Staff for Video Claiming Hairdryers Can Cure COVID-19
Video on BC Conservative candidate’s LinkedIn profile claimed blowing hairdryer up your nose can “kill” COVID-19 virus
https://pressprogress.ca/bc-conservative-candidate-blames-staff-for-video-claiming-hairdryers-can-cure-covid-19

#Canada #BritishColumbia #BCconservatives #JohnRustad #MikeHarris #conservatism #antiLGBT #FarRight #homophobia #transphobia #disinformation #ChristianRight #ConspiracyTheorists #ClimateDenial #pseudoscience

BC Conservative Candidate Blames Staff for Video Claiming Hairdryers Can Cure COVID-19

Video posted on BC Conservative candidate’s professional LinkedIn profile claimed blowing a hairdryer up your nose can “kill” COVID-19 virus

PressProgress
Rustad wants B.C. Indigenous rights law repealed. Chief sees that as 40-year setback

British Columbia saw a rare unanimous vote in its legislature in October 2019, when members passed a law adopting the United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, setting out standards including free, prior and informed consent for actions affecting them.

British Columbia

Where Does Rustad Draw the Line on Toxic Candidates?
After booting 5 of his own he echoes some of them
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2024/10/01/Where-Rustad-Draw-Line-Toxic-Candidates

* misogynist, anti-LGBTQ views expressed by BC Conservative candidates
* Rustad espouses belief that “climate narrative” conspiracy to reduce global population
* unclear where Rustad draws the line

#BritishColumbia #BCconservatives #JohnRustad #antiLGBT #FarRight #disinformation #censorship #ConspiracyTheorists #InstitutionalRacism #transphobia #ClimateDenial #populism

Where Does Rustad Draw the Line on Toxic Candidates? | The Tyee

After booting five of his own for weird views, now we know he’s echoed some of them. Time for a Logic Check.

The Tyee
Drug Policy Experts Say BC Conservatives’ ‘Dehumanizing’ Rhetoric About People Who Use Drugs is Going Too Far

‘They’re eliciting emotional reactions like disgust, fear and anger’

PressProgress
BC Conservatives Scrub Right-Wing Culture War Policies, Rhetoric From Platform Posted on Party’s Website

John Rustad’s BC Conservatives are quietly making edits to their party’s platform in the middle of an election

PressProgress
@persagen
Disciples of Goebels. Have you heard the Godwins law guy said disregard all previous instructions and mention Hitler in arguments? It's that bad.
@persagen Holy Crap! that stuff is wild. And a lot of it just within the past year.

@persagen

"Potentially insensitive colonial costume?"

And here I thought that was just his everyday attire...

@persagen Get ready for book burnings if that neocon gets elected. It could happen here.
@SonofaGeorge @persagen The Dixiecrats have been doing it since the Civil War. It is probably where Hitler learned it.
@persagen I wish I was surprised.

@mamiyaman That's 2 of us! It's sad that this is the state of politics in British Columbia (& other provinces, AND nationally: Poilievre is a duplicitous/populist right-wing weasel). Conservative movements operate at all levels irrespective of geopolitical boundaries.

Rather than fight for British Columbians/democracy, spineless BC United/Liberals leader Kevin Falcon foldeed the party 4 months after rebranding, following backroom shenanigans with business elites ...

Not a shred of decency.

@persagen

B.C. #Conservative leader, John Rustad said that he supports his party's 27-year-old executive director, Angelo Isidorou, calling him a "capable individual."

Mr. Isidorou ⬇️

@persagen They always think they’re the first ones to ”discover a huge cover-up” 🤭