A lot has happened since the B.C. snap election was called.
asserted
election → happen → ?
Here's a quick rundown
New leaders, election dropouts, and mayors sounding off on back-to-back elections
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.
asserted
voters → sound → October
Eby said the election, two years ahead of schedule, was required to meet the "existential moment" created by the Canada-U.S. trade conflict.
asserted
election → say → conflict
"We have big decisions to make as a province.
asserted
We → have → province
And British Columbians, you deserve a say in the direction that we choose," he said in a news conference Tuesday.
asserted
he → deserve → conference
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."
asserted
that → see → instability
There has been a lot of political movement since the election was called.
asserted
election → call → movement
Here's a quick rundown to help you make sense of where things are at.
asserted
things → help → sense
B.C. Conservatives get new interim leader
asserted
Conservatives → get → 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.
asserted
he → know → 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.
asserted
election → waste → MLAs
"We are unified in one simple task, and that is to change governments in this province," he said.
asserted
he → change → province
Former CentreBC MLAs join Conservatives
asserted
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.
asserted
she → quit → 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.
asserted
he → depart → fold
Elenore Sturko, who was kicked out of the Conservative caucus in September last year, has taken over from Milobar as CentreBC leader.
asserted
who → kick → leader
She told CBC's On The Coast the Conservative Party did not align with her values.
asserted
Party → tell → 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.
asserted
she → want → them
MLAs who've decided not to run
So far, three former NDP cabinet ministers have confirmed they will not be seeking re-election.
asserted
they → decide → election
Among them is Ravi Kahlon, who currently serves as health minister.
asserted
who → serve → 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.
asserted
she → spend → X.
And on Monday, Lana Popham said she wouldn't seek re-election for what would have been her sixth term.
asserted
what → say → election
"I am sad to leave this role, but I am not leaving public life without purpose," she said in a statement.
asserted
she → leave → 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.
asserted
elections → happen → Saturday
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.
asserted
messaging → argue → 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.
asserted
it → say → 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.
asserted
he → run → life
The Aporia
