BC MLA booted from Liberal caucus for retweeting

BC Liberal MLA ejected from party for questioning climate change | True North - Cosmin Dzsurdzsa:

August 19, 2022 - "BC Liberal leader Kevin Falcon has kicked veteran MLA John Rustad from caucus for retweeting Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore’s controversial views around climate change. The tweet in question shared by Rustad argued against the claim that CO2 drives global temperature changes.

“'No net warming in Australia for the past 10 years. And the Great Barrier Reef has more coral cover this year than ever recorded. The case for CO2 being the control knob of global temperature gets weaker every day,' Moore wrote. 

"Falcon responded to Rustad by saying that he did 'not speak on behalf of caucus' with his views. 'Let me be clear, climate change is one of the critical threats facing our future. The BC Liberals are strongly committed to substantive climate action & restoring BC’s place as a world leader in climate policy. John Rustad does not speak on behalf of caucus on this issue,' tweeted Falcon. 

"In a subsequent statement published online on Aug. 18, Falcon explained his reasoning behind removing Rustad from caucus.... 'While a diversity of perspectives are [sic] encouraged and a source of strength, they cannot exist without that important foundation in place,' wrote Falcon. ''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 BC Liberal Caucus effective immediately'.... 

"In an interview, Rustad stood by his views saying that the causes of climate change “should be open to debate'.... Moore also addressed the firing of Rustad on his own Twitter calling the BC Liberals 'intolerant fools' for removing Rustad." 
Read more: https://tnc.news/2022/08/19/bc-liberal-mla/

MLA John Rustad responds after removal from BC Liberal caucus | Global News - Canadian Press:

August 20, 2022 - "A British Columbia MLA says he holds no animosity toward the BC Liberal Party or its leader after being ousted from its caucus earlier this week. John Rustad, who represents Nechako Lakes in central B.C., was removed after he retweeted comments that questioned the role of carbon dioxide in climate change.

"In a statement posted to Twitter, Rustad says he believes in climate change and is worried about the effect it will have on future generations, but refuses to 'support policies brought forward by environmental elitists to punish everyday British Columbians and families who are already dealing with out of control inflation.' He says he looks forward to continuing to serve as the MLA for Nechako Lakes....

"'I got into politics to help people and I will never support policies which hurt everyday people and families,' Rustad said in the statement posted to Twitter Thursday. 'I hold no animosity towards Kevin Falcon or the BC Liberal Party, and I remain proud of my work with Premier Christy Clark as her Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.' Rustad is now sitting as an Independent MLA."
Read more: https://globalnews.ca/news/9074298/mla-john-rustad-responds-after-removal-from-bc-liberal-caucus/