B.C. Conservative MLA Tara Armstrong took to social media to announce that she has decided to leave the party after her colleague was removed from the caucus for 鈥渕ocking and belittling鈥� residential school survivors. 

Following a series of statements on X, podcasts and online forums, by Dallas Brodie, the MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena, the Metis Nation of B.C. called for the removal of Brodie due to her repeatedly disputing the existence of a mass grave at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops.

John Rustad, the leader of the B.C. Conservative Party, saying Brodie鈥檚 removal was a "result of her decision to publicly mock and belittle testimony from former residential school students, including by mimicking individuals recounting stories of abuses 鈥� including child sex abuse."

After the press conference, MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream, publicly announced her resignation via X, where she said that she was taking a stand against the removal of her colleague and the actions of Rustad. 

鈥淣o one was surprised when [Premier David Eby] attacked Brodie for telling the truth about Kamloops. But John Rustad鈥檚 cowardly decision to stab her in the back revealed just how corrupt he has become,鈥� wrote Armstrong. 

At the press conference where Brodie鈥檚 removal from the caucus was announced, Rustad stated that horrible things did happen to vulnerable children at Residential Schools 鈥� including dozens of sexual assaults against children 鈥� and said that the atrocities have been proven in court. 

Rustad made specific note of a podcast appearance in which Brodie 鈥渦ses a mocking, child-like voice to belittle testimony from former residential school students, saying things like 'my grandmother鈥檚 truth' and 'my truth, your truth' in a child-like 鈥榳hining鈥� voice."

However, Rustad did not denounce Brodie's comments that specifically relate to the grave sites at former residential school. He said her removal is solely about an elected MLA using her position of authority to mock testimony of survivors of abuse, including child sex abuse.

Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy has also left the B.C. Conservatives in support of Brodie. On X, he announced that he will continue to serve his community "with or without a party." He said that his new party is "to be determined."

Rustad said he believes strongly in free speech, but clarified that mocking testimony from victims is inappropriate and where he, 鈥渄raws the line.鈥�
Both Armstrong and Brodie are first-time MLAs.

Black Press has reached out to Armstrong for comment. 
More to come. 

~With files from Lauren Collins