British ColumbiaB.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad and B.C. Green Leader Emily Lowan addressed local politicians at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention on Thursday.B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad and B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan address local politiciansKatie DeRosa · CBC News · Posted: Sep 25, 2025 8:34 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoB.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad and newly elected B.C. Green Leader Emily Lowan addressed the Union of B.C. Municipalities annual convention on Thursday. (CBC)Two opposition leaders, two very different visions of what they can offer British Columbia’s cities and towns and how they stand apart from the governing NDP. Newly elected B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan introduced herself to delegates at the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention on Thursday by slamming the NDP government for rolling back the province’s commitment to lower greenhouse gas emissions. “Local governments have been doing the heavy lifting when it comes to climate action in this province,” Lowan said. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad, meanwhile, blamed the government for ignoring crime and street disorder in local communities. “I know all of you at the municipalities understand very clearly the challenges that you’re facing in your communities with issues such as drugs and crime, mental health,” Rustad said. Both the B.C. Greens and B.C. Conservatives are in flux. Lowan, a 25-year-old climate activist, has promised to hike taxes for the rich, end government subsidies for fossil fuel companies, and renegotiate the Greens’ co-operation agreement with David Eby’s NDP.WATCH | B.C. Greens elect new leader: B.C. Greens elect Victoria-based climate activist as new leaderThe B.C. Green Party has chosen Victoria-based climate activist Emily Lowan as its new leader. Former leader Sonia Furstenau stepped down after losing her seat in the October election. Meera Bains has more on what this could mean for the party.”The NDP is taking their progressive voters for granted and they are just capitulating to conservative voters,” she told CBC News after her speech. “So I think it’s important for the Greens to fully hold that left pole and hold their feet to the fire any way we can.”Lowan does not have a seat in the legislature and will have to find a way to work effectively with the party’s two MLAs, Jeremy Valeriote and Rob Botterell. “I’m no stranger to making change from the outside,” Lowan said, adding that not many British Columbians tune into question period.”A big part of my agenda is about expanding the pie of voters, not fighting over a shrinking slice of already politically-engaged people.”The move came after Rustad’s survived a leadership review with more than 70 per cent support. It was a process that was marred by allegations of voter fraud, and deepened divisions within the already fractured Conservative caucus. CBC News asked Rustad if his party can be an effective opposition to the NDP. “Watch us this fall,” he said.Sturko, who sat front and centre for Rustad’s speech, is skeptical. “A good leader of any party keeps the focus on the government,” Sturko said. “We see from this week with my ousting that John Rustad is a leader who keeps the focus on the turmoil within his own party.”WATCH | Elenore Sturko kicked out of B.C. Conservative caucus: MLA Elenore Sturko kicked out of B.C. Conservative caucusSurrey MLA Elenore Sturko has been kicked out of the B.C. Conservative caucus, following the results of John Rustad’s leadership review, in which he maintained support from a majority of those who cast votes. As CBC’s Katie Derosa reports, Sturko says she did not see her removal coming.Two former MLAs say political infighting doesn’t serve the public.”With an ineffective opposition you will encourage an ineffective government,” said Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog, who spent five terms as an NDP MLA, including time in opposition. Former B.C. Green MLA Adam Olsen added that “to have our official opposition party, whatever their political stripes are, in a state of chaos, does not serve the people of British Columbia well at all.” Both Rustad and Lowan accused Eby of not doing enough to support British Columbians during an affordability crisis. Eby will address the UBCM convention on Friday.ABOUT THE AUTHORKatie DeRosa is the provincial affairs reporter for CBC British Columbia. She is based in Victoria. You can contact her at katie.derosa@cbc.ca.
Opposition leaders offer very different visions for B.C. at UBCM
