A lot has happened since the B.C. snap election was called. Here's a quick rundown
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson has become the interim leader of the Conservative Party, and MLAs who quit en masse during Kerry-Lynne Findlay's tenure are rejoining. Meanwhile, some MLAs have announced they won't be seeking re-election next month.
New leaders, election dropouts, and mayors sounding off on back-to-back elections
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Eby calls snap B.C. election citing 'existential' Trump threat
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B.C. NDP Leader David Eby called an early provincial election to be held on Oct. 24, citing the 'existential' threat of U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war on Canada. Eby also dismissed questions about the ethics of calling the vote while the B.C. Conservative Party is in disarray.On Tuesday, B.C. NDP Leader David Eby put an end to weeks of speculation by calling an early election in B.C., meaning voters will head to the polls to choose their next provincial government on October 24.
Eby said the election, two years ahead of schedule, was required to meet the "existential moment" created by the Canada-U.S. trade conflict.
"We have big decisions to make as a province. And British Columbians, you deserve a say in the direction that we choose," he said in a news conference Tuesday.
But some see it as political opportunism, given the recent turmoil within the B.C. Conservatives.
B.C. Conservative interim leader Lorne Doerkson has characterised it as a "cheap, opportunistic political move," while Greens Leader Emily Lowan called it an unnecessary decision that would bring "yet more instability."
There has been a lot of political movement since the election was called.
Here's a quick rundown to help you make sense of where things are at.
B.C. Conservatives get new interim leader
Before Tuesday, Cariboo-Chilcotin legislator Lorne Doerkson wasn't a well-known name, but he has been chosen by consensus as interim leader of the B.C. Conservatives.
He wasted no time introducing himself to the electorate at a news conference held shortly after the B.C. election was called, flanked by more than a dozen Conservative MLAs.
"We are unified in one simple task, and that is to change governments in this province," he said.
Former CentreBC MLAs join Conservatives
Seven MLAs who quit the Conservative Party en masse during former leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay's tenure, to subsequently join the CentreBC party, have rejoined since she was ousted on Sunday.
Peter Milobar, who departed in mid-August, spent a short time as the leader of CentreBC, but on Tuesday announced he would re-enter the Conservative fold.
Elenore Sturko, who was kicked out of the Conservative caucus in September last year, has taken over from Milobar as CentreBC leader.
She told CBC's On The Coast the Conservative Party did not align with her values.
"I want to be able to represent a portion of the voting public that feels that neither the Conservatives nor the NDP represent them," she said.
MLAs who've decided not to run
So far, three former NDP cabinet ministers have confirmed they will not be seeking re-election.
Among them is Ravi Kahlon, who currently serves as health minister.
He spent nine years as an MLA with the B.C. NDP, and did not give a reason for his departure.
"After three election cycles, I believe this is the right time for the next champion of North Delta to step forward and carry this work on," he said in a statement issued at 4 p.m. PT Tuesday.
Richmond-Steveston MLA Kelly Greene has also decided not to run again.
She was first elected in 2020, and played a key role in B.C.'s wildfire response this summer as minister of emergency management.
"This decision to step down was not made lightly," she said in a post on X.
And on Monday, Lana Popham said she wouldn't seek re-election for what would have been her sixth term.
"I am sad to leave this role, but I am not leaving public life without purpose," she said in a statement.
B.C. mayors are not happy
The provincial election will happen exactly a week after civic elections take place in 187 provincial municipalities and regional districts across B.C. on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Local leaders are not happy about the timing, and have argued that dueling campaigns will be confusing for voters and make messaging harder for candidates.
Delta Mayor George Harvie said he was not alone in feeling "pissed off" about the situation, and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said it showed a lack of respect for municipalities.
Malcom Brodie, who is not running for re-election after serving 25 years as mayor of Richmond, wondered whether calling a provincial election early would anger the electorate and ultimately backfire on the B.C. NDP.
"I find this to be one of the more cynical moves I've ever seen in political life," he said.
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