British Columbians already heading to the polls for municipal elections on Oct. 17 seem likely to be voting again just a week later. B.C. Premier David Eby was widely expected to call a provincial general election Tuesday, which would result in an election date of Oct. 24. Eby is scheduled to address the public at 12:15 p.m. Follow along for live updates below. Right-wing parties in ongoing talks Interim B.C. Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson said negotiations between his party and CentreBC went late Monday night and continued Tuesday morning. Eby’s expected election call has prompted efforts to reunify the province’s political right, though some experts have suggested that outcome is unlikely after months of ideological tension between the more populist and moderate wings. “The basis for unity between these two groups just doesn’t exist anymore,” Hamish Telford, political science professor at the University of the Fraser Valley, told CTV News on Monday. Last week, eight former Conservative MLAs who had defected or been expelled from the party joined the fledging CentreBC, positioning it to be the third-largest party in the legislature overnight. Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca B.C. NDP calls out Opposition for past election threats Ahead of what could prove to be a controversial snap election call, B.C.’s governing party is cataloguing previous comments made by the Opposition about sending voters to the polls early. The first statement came “the minute the polls closed,” according to the B.C. NDP, which referenced an election-night quote from then-leader of the B.C. Conservatives John Rustad. “We will look at every single opportunity from day one to bring them down,” Rustad said. The B.C. NDP’s statement also referenced non-confidence motions and subsequent comments from Opposition legislators about forcing an early election to topple Eby’s government. Lisa Steacy, CTVNewsVancouver.ca Eby arrives at Government House Premier David Eby has arrived at Government House where he is expected to set a snap election in progress by asking Lt.-Gov. Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia to dissolve the legislature. He did not respond to questions asked by media gathered outside—including one from CTV News Vancouver legislative reporter Rob Buffam who asked whether it is ethical to call a snap election at this time. Eby holding news conference B.C. Premier David Eby is holding a news conference at 12:15 p.m. and is widely expected to call a provincial election. Eby will be speaking at Government House—the office and residence of Lt.-Gov. Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia in Victoria—at 12:15 p.m., according to a media advisory issued by the B.C. NDP hours ahead of the event. Before sending voters back to the polls, Eby would have to meet with the lieutenant governor and advise her to dissolve the legislature. An election called today would send voters to the polls on Saturday, Oct. 24, which advanced voting happening Oct. 16 through 21, according to Elections B.C. Andrew Weichel, CTVNewsVancouver.ca Conservative interim leader cancels address B.C. Conservative Party interim Leader Lorne Doerkson was scheduled to hold a news conference in Richmond on Tuesday, but cancelled it due to the looming possibility of an election call. Doerkson took over as leader after Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s resignation on Sunday, less than four months into her tenure at the head of the party. Findlay’s tumultuous time in charge saw more than a dozen MLAs leave or be expelled from the party’s caucus. Some of the defectors joined the upstart CentreBC party. Since taking over the Conservatives, Doerkson has welcomed back several members as the party tries to present a united front ready to defeat Eby’s NDP. Ian Holliday, CTVNewsVancouver.ca Municipal leaders urge premier not to call election At a news conference Monday, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim urged the provincial government not to call an early election until after municipal voting on Oct. 17, saying the municipal election deserves the “full, undivided attention” of residents. Sim’s far from alone in this perspective. Ahead of Eby’s appearance at Government House Tuesday, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke issued a statement criticizing the expected election call and asking voters to remain engaged in local politics. “Calling a provincial election during the municipal election makes it that much harder to reach voters when turnout during municipal elections is already much lower than federal or provincial elections,” Locke said. “It seems the provincial election will be going ahead at this point, so I am calling on all voters across Surrey and B.C. to stay engaged and informed during this confusing period.” During the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference last week, the organization’s president Cori Ramsay called on provincial parties to “temper election rhetoric.” “At a time when B.C. is facing considerable economic and social uncertainty, overlapping elections would be a disservice to our citizens,” Ramsay said in a statement at the time. Ian Holliday, CTVNewsVancouver.ca
