Former BC Green Party leader Andrew Weaver slams Premier David Eby, praises Conservatives' John Rustad
Former BC Green Party leader Andrew Weaver is treading back into B.C. politics, slamming NDP Premier David Eby in an opinion piece in the Vancouver Sun, and showering praise on BC Conservative Leader John Rustad. He echoed those sentiments in an interview with CTV News Wednesday.
“(Rustad) reminds me a lot of John Horgan in that he's a listener. He's somebody that will listen to you, will disagree with you, but is open to change his views,” said Weaver.
Weaver is a climate scientist and one of the architects of the province's climate plan: CleanBC. He forged an alliance – and famous bromance – with Horgan that propelled the NDP to power in 2017, but he's critical of Horgan's successor.
“What we're looking for is someone who's authentic, who’s willing to talk to us, who’s willing to listen,” he said.
John Rustad opposes the carbon tax and CleanBC. He was kicked out of BC United for his views on climate change, but Weaver says they aren’t that far apart on the environment.
“He reacts as some do, and frankly I do too, to some of the alarmist rhetoric that’s out there,” said Weaver Wednesday.
Rustad welcomed Weaver's praise on Wednesday, and returned the volley.
“Quite frankly, I think he would make a great candidate for us if we could ever find a place if he would be interested in running for us,” said Rustad.
Rustad says climate change exists – and humans are contributing to it – but argues it isn't an existential threat or a crisis.
“I don't even think that it’s the worst thing we're facing in this province, in terms of British Columbia,” he said.
Environment Minister George Heyman told CTV News Wednesday that Rustad’s comments on climate change are frightening, and he is disturbed by the possibility that Rustad could destroy everything he has worked on for the past seven years, including with Andrew Weaver.
Weaver's comments are evidence of more momentum for the BC Conservatives, said UBC political scientist, Gerald Baier.
“It certainly suggests that there is still quite a lot of coalescing around the BC Conservatives as the alternative to the BC NDP,” said Baier.
It’s momentum that the premier acknowledged Tuesday, saying he'd "probably" be running against Rustad when asked who his main opponent will be this fall.
Weaver said Wednesday he has no plans to run for office, but would be happy to be a climate advisor to Rustad, a position he said is more like an economic advisor.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Heavy snow, freezing rain warnings hit parts of Canada, expected to last throughout Monday
Significant snowfall and heavy rain hit parts of Canada on Sunday and the weather system is expected to continue into Monday morning and throughout the day.
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 has hit 25 days
The Canada Post strike involving more than 55,000 workers has hit 25 days.
Most Canadians view illegal immigrant border crossings as concern for U.S.: Nanos survey
More than 80 per cent of Canadians believe the flow of illegal immigrants from Canada to the U.S. is a concern, according to a new survey.
Government faces third Tory non-confidence vote ahead of potential fiscal hurdle
The Liberals are set to face a third Conservative non-confidence vote today, but the government is likely to survive with the support of the NDP.
Jay-Z accused of sexually assaulting 13-year-old in 2000 incident along with Sean 'Diddy' Combs
A woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by Sean 'Diddy' Combs has amended her lawsuit to include allegations that she was also assaulted by Jay-Z at the same party.
Suspect wanted after victim forcibly confined, assaulted, and threatened with death in Scarborough
Police have released images of an individual who allegedly forcibly confined, and assaulted and threatened to kill another person in southwest Scarborough over the weekend.
Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad?
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader of the insurgency in Syria, has spent years working to remake his public image, renouncing to ties to al-Qaida.
Some cancer patients may forgo care due to high treatment-related costs: report
A Canadian Cancer Society report, published Monday in partnership with Statistics Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada with analysis by Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, estimates a cancer patient will face almost $33,000 on average in out-of-pocket cancer-related costs in their lifetime, including loss of income.
Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a U.S. withdrawal from NATO is possible
Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as U.S. president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office.