British Columbia’s Opposition Leader says he “didn’t talk about mental health” as he discussed the defection of one of his caucus members this week.

John Rustad says it was a reporter who asked about mental health in relation to legislator Amelia Boultbee and he responded by saying the party “had some concerns” and it was providing support as it tried to “work through issues with her.”

Rustad’s remarks on Tuesday come the day after Boultbee announced that she was quitting the party, saying the Conservative leader had told her to “get the F out.”

She is the fifth MLA to exit the caucus over differences with Rustad, who initially responded by saying he had concerns “with regards to Amelia’s health.”

Rustad told reporters Monday that he had seen her in tears and staff informed him she was

See Full Page