David Eby, the Premier of British Columbia, kicked off his campaign early by announcing that his wife is expecting their third child at the end of June.
Despite the imminent arrival of his daughter, Mr. Eby hosted a campaign event in Vancouver on June 20, stating that he wanted to get a head start before taking time off to be with his family.
The provincial election is set for October 19, and Mr. Eby used the event to introduce four BC NDP candidates, including Randene Neill, a former broadcaster, and Baltej Dhillon, the first RCMP officer to wear a turban on duty.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on June 20, he stated, “While I’m spending time with my family, welcoming our 3rd child, our amazing BC NDP candidates will be out connecting with people about what matters most.”
Recent polls have shown that the provincial NDP is polling higher than the Conservatives, with the BC United Party trailing behind both.
An Angus Reid survey on May 30 revealed that the NDP had an 11-point lead over the Conservatives, with 41 percent and 30 percent voter support, respectively. The BC United Party had 16 percent support, marking a 50 percent decrease from its 2020 election popularity.
The Conservatives in British Columbia have been announcing new candidates, including former Surrey mayor Linda Hepner. Additionally, United Party MLAs Elenore Sturko and Lorne Doerkson have switched to the Conservatives, with former United candidate Chris Moore joining the Tories on June 19.
Efforts to unite the Conservative and United parties have not been successful, according to their leaders.
The BC United Party is also actively campaigning, with leader Mr. Falcon focusing on addressing the cost of living. He has pledged to make life more affordable by balancing the budget, improving childcare, and enhancing economic prosperity for the province.
The BC Green Party is also engaging with voters through door-to-door visits. Their platform includes addressing healthcare and affordability issues, as well as advocating for basic income. Climate change policies are a major focus of their campaign.
This article contains contributions from The Canadian Press.
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