Mayor Marianne Alto, who is running for re-election as mayor of Victoria, is disheartened with Premier David Eby’s decision to call a provincial election in such close proximity to BC’s upcoming local elections.
The local elections are scheduled for Saturday, October 17th, whereas the newly called provincial election will take place on Saturday, October 24th—just seven days apart.
“I am disappointed in this decision,” said Alto.
“Across British Columbia, thousands of mayoral, council, regional district director and school board candidates are campaigning and working hard to earn votes.”
She noted that election campaigns are powered by volunteers and donors, who commit thousands of hours towards upholding democracy at the local level.
“Having another election occur at the same time, for a different order of government, reduces candidates’ ability to share our messages and be heard,” she continued.
“It can confuse voters, stoke disenfranchisement and draws heavily on local resources that are already limited.”
Alto says that holding a provincial election so close to a local one will ultimately distract voters from local issues and will undermine the importance of local government.
During last week’s Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) conference, local leaders from throughout the province came together in opposition to a provincial election during a local election period.
In a joint statement UBCM members noted that local governments have fixed election dates set in place, in part to prevent overlap with provincial general elections.
“I understand that the Premier believes he needs a renewed electoral mandate from the public to continue his work to advance economic stability and oppose Donald Trump,” said Alto.
“I respect his decision and authority to call an election, but remain frustrated.”
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To conclude her message, Alto asked that residents do their best to stay tuned into local candidates and their platforms, and that they make time to vote on election day or at an advanced poll.
In addition to Alto’s statement regarding the timing of the upcoming provincial election, leader of the BC Green Party Emily Lowan has also issued a statement.
“This snap election will be costly, it isn’t wanted, and it continues this government’s track record of putting its interests ahead of everyday people,” said Lowan.
“British Columbians weren’t due back at the polls until 2028—now they’re being asked to vote early, right on top of another election.”
Currently, the BC NDP already have a majority government, and have been able to use their power to pass legislation despite efforts from the Opposition and the BC Greens.
Lowan pointed to Eby’s “tough talk on Trump” in his announcement of the election, but says that he and his government could be doing more to help BC residents and businesses already.
“If they wanted to offer that support and stability they could do so today, instead they plunged us into an election,” she said.
“They canceled the $1.4B Community Housing Fund, opened a firehose of public subsidies to US resource corporations, refused to negotiate in good faith with unions—leading to the longest public service strike in BC history and mismanaged healthcare to the point of pushing nurses to prolonged job action—it’s clear this is a government whose primary ambition is to hold onto power.”
She says that with an election upcoming, British Columbians can choose to support neither the BC NDP or the BC Conservatives.
The BC Greens agenda going into the snap election will be prioritizing affordability, affordable homes, making healthcare more accessible and taxing the ultra-wealthy along with mega-corporations.
The Conservative Party of BC has not issued a statement since the election announcement that was made at noon on Tuesday, September 22nd.
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