BC Green leader fires back after Eby urges her supporters to back NDP

With less than a week remaining before British Columbians cast their final ballots, BC NDP Leader David Eby and BC Green Leader Emily Lowan are now openly battling for the province’s progressive vote.

In a campaign statement released Sunday morning, Eby urged people who have previously voted Green to support the BC NDP in the October 24th provincial election.

Eby argued that while the NDP and Greens share many values, the race ultimately comes down to two people with a realistic chance of becoming premier, that would be himself and Conservative Party of BC Leader Lorne Doerkson.

“If you voted Green in the past, I’m inviting you to join us in this election,” Eby said. “There is too much at stake.”

The message amounted to an appeal for strategic voting, with Eby warning that dividing the progressive vote could help elect a Conservative government that he said would cut services, weaken public health care and reverse climate initiatives.

Eby also said the province needs a government prepared to make significant changes to strengthen health care, protect residents from rising costs and make BC’s economy less dependent on the United States.

The NDP release included the endorsement of Melanie McCollum, who was described by the party as a former Green voter from Courtenay.

“I’ve voted Green before, but the risk of a Conservative government is too high,” McCollum said.

“This time, I’m voting BC NDP.”

The release also attacked several Conservative candidates over their positions on health care, vaccines, climate change and relations with the United States.

Less than two hours later, Lowan issued a sharply worded response accusing Eby of attempting to frighten Green supporters into abandoning her party.

“David Eby called this snap election two years early,” Lowan said. “Now he’s trying to scare British Columbians into voting for him.”

Lowan rejected Eby’s suggestion that the differences between the NDP and Greens are relatively small.

She pointed to the NDP government’s record on affordable child care, long-term care, housing, labour relations, Indigenous rights and climate change.

“Tell that to the families waiting on the $10-a-day child care he froze, the seniors waiting on the seven long-term care homes he delayed, and the renters still waiting for housing they can actually afford,” Lowan said.

She also referenced nurses she joined on a picket line, the government’s attempt to suspend portions of BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and what she characterized as a retreat from promised climate action.

Lowan, who is running in Saanich North and the Islands, pointed to recent endorsements from longtime New Democrats Svend Robinson and Harold Steves as evidence that progressive voters are also moving in the opposite direction, from the NDP to the Greens.

She also mentioned Saturday night’s municipal election in Vancouver, where unofficial results show Green candidate Pete Fry defeating incumbent mayor Ken Sim.

“Last night, Vancouver showed that people are ready for Green leadership,” Lowan said. “British Columbians can send that same Green message across the province on election day.”

The provincial election was called on September 22nd, nearly two years ahead of its previously scheduled 2028 date.

Advance voting continues through Wednesday, October 21st. Final voting day is Saturday, October 24th, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.