BC residents will be heading to the polls twice in October after Premier David Eby announced a snap election.
To call a provincial election, Premier Eby had to meet with Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia, who agreed to dissolve the legislature and to hold the election on Saturday, October 24th.
During the press conference where Eby announced this snap election, he took the opportunity to speak to British Columbians directly.
First, he spoke of United States President Donald Trump being a major factor in calling the election.
“For British Columbians and for Canadians, this is an existential moment,” said Eby. “The prime minister has called this a rupture and he is absolutely right.”
“Donald Trump is attacking our workers, he’s targeting our businesses and he is threatening our sovereignty. He’s threatening our ability to make decisions for ourselves and who we buy from—about the direction we set.”
He noted that part of the reason he decided to call an election is to enact a plan for BC that is based on three core pillars.
“It begins by having the courage to say ‘no,’ to stand up to Trump’s threats, to the bullying, to the red-faced shouting, to the violent memes, to not fold every time he changes his demands and his terms,” Eby explained.
The premier said this means continuing to choose Canadian products over American ones and to stand by the prime minister as he faces off with Trump.
“Second, protect British Columbians from the shocks of the United States because this isn’t happening far away anymore, it is right here at home,” he continued.
Eby noted that much of the affordability issues facing Canadians are directly due to Trump’s actions and policies.
“Third, we need to build,” said Eby. “We need to build pathways to new markets free from American interference.”
This includes building new infrastructure, homes and industries that can grow in BC while also breaking down borders within Canada.
He also spoke at length about the successes BC has seen in housing production and, specifically, attracting over 1,000 healthcare professionals from the US and its private system.
“I will be the first to admit that there is so much more work to do—the job is far from done,” said Premier Eby.
“But if we accept those who want to turn British Columbia into America junior, if we accept that path, then we put all of that at risk.”
He alleged that the BC Conservatives want to do exactly that and “fan the flames,” which would put any and all progress at risk.
“British Columbians need a say, they deserve a say in what happens next,” said Eby.
“You deserve a say in the kind of province we’re going to build—a province that stands up for itself or a province that folds to Donald Trump, a province that protects what matters or a province that cuts healthcare and education when you and your family need it most, a province that’s ready for what comes next or a province that is consumed with MAGA-style politics, division and culture wars.”
“That’s the choice and you deserve a say,” he added.
This snap election comes on the heels of several BC Conservative MLAs stepping away from the party to sit as Independents or to form another party, as well as the resignation of Kerry-Lynne Findlay, the party’s recently elected leader.
“The conservatives have had four leaders in two years, they’ve been in chaos every moment since the election,” said Eby.
“The choice for British Columbians is clear though—the BC Conservatives have been clear about the direction they want to go.”
He added that BC residents can choose to build up BC within Canada, or take the conservative approach in declining the measures taken against the province and country.
When asked about why now, given that the Union of BC Municipalities asked that the premier hold off on calling an election until after the local election across BC being held on October 17th, Eby did not directly respond.
He simply said that conditions are changing by the hour, mainly from south of the border.
Eby was also asked why he chose now, when his party already has a majority government.
“I don’t think it’s ever wrong to go to British Columbians to ask them what they think, what direction we should go,” said Eby.
“The opportunities that are available for us to be stronger, more independent, to create opportunities for families, support them through this moment versus folding, caving, acquiescing, giving up, reducing, shrinking—the impoverished America junior vision of the Conservative parties, this choice should be going to British Columbians.”
The provincial election will take place on the Saturday following the provincewide local elections.
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