B.C. Election Update 2024 – Part 1
Election Day is less than two weeks away in British Columbia. The leading parties, the BC NDP and BC Conservatives, are both polling at 45% and BC’s Green Party is polling at 9%. That might change after Tuesday’s debate – the only televised debate of the campaign before voting day on Oct. 19.
An Overview of the NDP
The NDP, led by David Eby, has carried out a two-pronged campaign strategy. The current Premier has been traveling the province making promises to help BC families “get ahead”, including improving healthcare, making housing more affordable and supporting job creation. Conversely, the NDP campaign team has focused pushing out attack pieces that paint the BC Conservatives as bizarre, conspiracy theorists who have no place in BC politics.[1] Neither of these messages appears to have dramatically moved the dial. Maybe voters haven’t tuned in yet or maybe the NDP’s promises ring hollow seven years in power.
The NDP have also made a handful of promises that nudge their party toward the center of the political spectrum. Before the campaign started, Eby announced his government would potentially scrap the carbon tax and expand involuntary care for those with mental health and addictions issues.[2] The NDP has also committed to expediting permit processes for mining and natural resources sector and encourage manufacturing investments. Changing positions on these issues may alienate some of NDP’s supporters causing them to stay home, vote independent in the many ridings where jilted BC United candidates are running, or even vote for the Green Party.
As part of their campaign, the NDP has also launched a website called “Rustad Risk”. The site does not list his controversial quotes or profile members of his team that have promoted conspiracy theories. It focuses on what the NDP knows matters the most to many voters in Canada’s province with the highest cost of living – pocketbook issues. The website allows visitors to calculate how much a BC Conservative win would cost them. It is an interesting move as this is an attack directly on what Rustad believes is his strength.
[1] David Eby calls on John Rustad to drop candidates with extreme and dangerous views before 1pm deadline
[2] ‘Big pivot for B.C.’: Reaction to David Eby’s carbon tax announcement | Globalnews.ca
An Overview of the BC Conservative Party
BC Conservative leader John Rustad has been out on the campaign trail pledging common sense solutions to the problems that plague British Columbians. These include commitments to improve healthcare and housing in the province and, interestingly, to bring back plastic straws. Rustad has also committed to improving public safety, promising to “bring an end” to tent cities and build more supportive housing that will have zero tolerance for drugs and crime.[1] His team has focused their attacks on the state of the province and laying the blame for it on the NDP government. The BC Conservative’s polling number have been steadily rising and it is not clear if this trend will continue as Election Day approaches.
As advanced polling begins October 10th, voters will begin to cast their ballots and choose what the next four years on the west coast might look like. Will British Columbians choose Eby and the NDP to help them “get ahead” or “common sense” solutions from Rustand the BC Conservatives?
As with any election it boils down to change or more of the same.
[1] B.C. election: Eby promises $75 million rural health loan forgiveness | Vancouver Sun