NDP launch campaign focusing on Canada-US relations

British Columbians will be headed to the polls twice this fall, as Premier David Eby has called a snap election, just two years into his majority government mandate. Eby is hoping to capitalize on a weak opposition that has been more focused on fighting each other than his NDP government in recent months, culminating with BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay stepping down over the weekend.

“[We’ve] agreed to dissolve the legislature and to call a provincial election for October 24,” said Eby outside of Government House in Victoria.

Eby launched the NDP election platform with three key pillars, all attached in some way to the US-Canada trade war.

“To stand up to Trump’s threats, to the bullying, to the red-faced shouting, the violent memes, to not fold every time he changes his demands and his terms. And when he lashes out at another Canadian industry, whatever it is, we will stand shoulder to shoulder,” said Eby.

“Why now?” the biggest question being asked of a NDP government that currently holds a majority mandate.

“At the moment, we have just a one-person majority. We lost MLA Joan Phillip a short time ago and with that one-person majority, what we want is a very strong mandate,” said Kamloops-North Thompson NDP Riding Association President Rick Turner.

Turner noted the NDP in both Kamloops ridings hope to name candidates as early as Friday (Sept. 25), if not early next week.

“With the municipal election happening next month and then shortly after the provincial election, I think the voters and the citizens of Kamloops will be taking a very careful look and acting and getting out to the polls and voting for the future of our city and our province,” Turner told CFJC News.

The NDP campaign potentially formulated to attack Findlay, may not hit the bullseye as cleanly with moderate Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson now at the helm.

“They want to import the MAGA-style politics, the chaos of Donald Trump to British Columbia, they are not ambiguous about this,” said Eby. “They believe our best path is to put American liquor back in the shelf with no concessions to the Americans.”

The other side of the aisle has seemingly found common ground, with eight of the Centre BC MLAs, led by Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar, rejoining the Tories.