BC Conservative Leader John Rustad Accuses BC Premier David Eby of Being a ‘Communist’
Rustad says he agrees with a 10-foot-tall billboard erected in front of billionaire Lululemon founder's mansion
As British Columbia’s 2024 election wraps up its second week, the BC Conservatives are rolling out a new message that they hope will resonate with undecided voters.
Namely, that the province of British Columbia is ruled by communists.
During a press conference in Kelowna Friday, Rustad was asked about a billboard that recently popped up in front of an $80 million mansion owned by Chip Wilson, the billionaire founder of Lululemon, accusing the BC NDP of being “communist.”
“Eby will tell you the conservatives are ‘far-right’ but neglects saying the NDP is ‘Communist’,” the sign states.
Lululemon founder erects billboard outside $80 million mansion denouncing the BC NDP as ‘communists’
Vancouver billionaire Chip Wilson is warning his wealthy neighbours about the dangers of communismhttps://t.co/W8EsXXWRmL #bcpoli #bcelxn
— PressProgress (@pressprogress) October 4, 2024
The word “communism” does not appear anywhere in the BC NDP constitution.
Responding to Wilson’s billboard on Friday, Eby acknowledged raising taxes on the billionaire’s mansion, but explained that the revenue generated by taxing the rich funds programs and services that help others struggling to make ends meet.
“We increased the property taxes on his home, as a home over $3 million, I think it’s worth $80 million,” Eby said. “We use that money to do things like breakfast programs for kids, to expand healthcare … we use that to support the rest of British Columbians who are really struggling with affordability.”
Later the same day, BC Conservative leader John Rustad was asked during an appearance in Kelowna to respond to Ebys’ comments about Wilson’s sign.
“What do you think of Eby’s statement that you are on the side of billionaires like Chip Wilson?” a reporter asked. “He said maybe Chip Wilson is your guy and he’s basically accusing you of catering to the 1%, the richest British Columbians.”
“Well, I have to see that sign,” Rustad replied. “I didn’t realize he was actually putting that up there”
“I don’t disagree with him when he calls David Eby a communist.”
Rustad later added Eby wants to build “Soviet-style housing in British Columbia,” without elaborating further.
During the first week of the campaign, Rustad and his BC Conservative candidates have faced criticism for using extreme rhetoric and promoting conspiratorial beliefs.
Rustad has himself come under fire for rejecting basic facts about climate science, expressing regret about getting vaccinated and giving a speech in which he said he worried that the United Nations wants children to eat bugs.
While it remains to be seen if Rustad’s message will resonate with voters, it does appear to be resonating with at least one BC Conservative campaign manager.
Wyatt Claypool, campaign manager for BC Conservative candidate Bruce Banman, tweeted shortly after Rustad’s statement that “David Eby is a communist.”
David Eby is a Communist.
— Wyatt Claypool (@wyatt_claypool) October 4, 2024
Claypool, a right-wing blogger and former People’s Party supporter, was recently disqualified from running as a candidate for Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives.
As PressProgress previously reported, Claypool faced criticism after publishing a video downplaying the safety of gay and trans children.
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