Rift in B.C. Conservative caucus deepens as MLA defies party leader
Comments by Elenore Sturko put her at odds with 13 Conservative MLAs
The rift within the B.C. Conservative party has deepened over the resignation of a Vancouver police board member.
Elenore Sturko, who represents Surrey-Cloverdale, publicly defied Leader John Rustad's request that she meet with Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba, the VPD board vice chair who resigned over controversial comments about diversity and inclusion in classrooms.
"I stand by my position, and I won't be meeting with her," Sturko told reporters on Tuesday shortly before a B.C. Conservative caucus meeting in Victoria.
Sturko says she had "no trepidation" going into the caucus meeting with the 13 MLAs who condemned her in a leaked letter but acknowledged it might be "feisty."
Sturko told CBC News last month that Sakoma-Fadugba's comments were offensive and that she was right to resign. That put her at odds with some B.C. Conservatives, who said Sakoma-Fadugba raised valid issues about protecting Christian values, and she was a victim of cancel culture.
In screenshots shared to Reddit, one of Sakoma-Fadugba's posts discusses how "mass immigration" and "a growing aversion to assimilation" are "transforming Canada into a place where a shared identity is disappearing."
Another post questions Diwali celebrations at schools, saying the "push for secular education isn't about religion — it's about erasing Christian values from the lives of our children."
A third references "gender transitions" while criticizing a "woke culture that pits children against their parents."
Thirteen Tory MLAs signed a letter condemning Sturko's comments and pressing Rustad to ask her to apologize."
It is our view that the statements caused undue harm to Ms. Sakoma and called into question our commitment to the core values shared by Conservatives," they wrote.
As they walked into their party's caucus meeting, all 13 MLAs refused to comment on why they signed the letter.
"I want to make it crystal clear where I personally stand — I support Comfort Sakoma, and I don't believe she should have been asked to quit the VPD police board," Rustad wrote.
He said he understands "the critical importance of freedom of speech, particularly for MLAs."
However, he said Sturko should "meet with Comfort Sakoma before drawing further judgment.
"Comfort is a wonderful person with so much to offer, and I hope she continues to advocate for the Conservative movement in British Columbia and in Canada."
CBC News asked Rustad Tuesday if Sturko publicly defied him by responding that she would not meet with Sakoma-Fadugba.
"I expected that she would," he said. "They have the right to be able to say things, they have a right to bring forward issues."
Sturko said she was disappointed to learn about Rustad's position on social media but insists she stands behind him as party leader.
"I came to Victoria and joined this party to work side by side with John. I intend to do that," Sturko said. "I think that what people don't necessarily realize is that caucuses do have disagreements."
Former B.C. United spokesperson Andrew Reeve told CBC News he expected divisions within the big tent B.C. Conservative Party which formed as a result of several high-profile defections among B.C. United MLAs, including Sturko.
Rustad has said he will allow his MLAs to have free votes on issues and vote according to their conscience, but Reeve says that could expose further divisions between social conservatives and more progressive centrists in the party.
The letter's signatories are: Tara Armstrong, Rosalyn Bird, Dallas Brodie, Brent Chapman, Reann Gasper, Sharon Hartwell, Anna Kindy, Jordan Kealy, Kristina Loewen, Macklin McCall, Heather Maahs, Korky Neufeld and Ward Stamer.
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