On April 26, 2024, a shock poll by Mainstreet Research appeared, the first of several showing the BC Conservatives neck and neck, either ahead or only slightly behind the BC NDP, with Kevin Falcon’s BC United in a distant third place:

New poll shows BC Conservatives ahead of the NDP

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2024/04/26/bc-conservatives-ahead/

Just a few days later, Rustad proposed a private member’s bill in the legislature, Bill M214, the “Fairness in Women’s and Girls’ Sports Act”

Fairness in Women’s and Girls’ Sports Act

https://www.thefreepress.ca/news/conservative-bill-limiting-transgender-athletes-sinks-in-bc-legislature-7351920 story April 30 2024

Rustad Statement / Bill M214 April 30. FAIRNESS IN WOMEN'S AND GIRLS' SPORTS ACT (10:29:30 AM 10:32:00, THEN AGAIN 1042:20 TO 1045:10) HTTPS://WWW.LEG.BC.CA/PARLIAMENTARY-BUSINESS/OVERVIEW/42ND-PARLIAMENT/5TH-SESSION/DEBATE-TRANSCRIPTS (PERHAPS ADD VIDEO OF INTRO FROM 1010:00 – TO 10:13: 02 https://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard-content/Debates/42nd5th/20240430am-House-Blues.htm