After much speculation and concern, B.C. Premier David Eby has made it official, announcing today that there will indeed be a snap election this October.
The concern comes from residents and leaders in the region who are opposed to running two elections in the same month.
In fact, the provincial election will land exactly one week after the municipal elections around the province, which take place on Oct. 17.
The news of the snap election comes on the heels of the chaos in the Conservative camp, and also after Eby saw a big jump in his approval rating.
At the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention last week, reporters pressed Eby under the assumption that he would be calling an election, with some reporters criticizing him for the timing and others calling Eby opportunistic. In response, Eby told the media that he had no election announcement to make at that time.
Now, there is no doubt that the final voting day will be on Oct. 24.
Eby’s snap election announcement
BC NDP
“I’d like to take the opportunity to speak to British Columbians directly,” Eby began.
“This is an existential moment,” he said, echoing sentiments he made at the UBCM.
Eby said his plan is based on three core pillars: stand up, protect and build.
A large portion of Eby’s announcement, and his first pillar, was about U.S. President Donald Trump threatening Canadian sovereignty, saying that Trump wants to make Canada an “America lite.” Eby is also promising to lower costs people are facing, strengthen the province’s healthcare system, and support workers and businesses facing tariffs.
“Our plan is making a difference, driving down housing costs and creating good new jobs. But the job is far from done, and we need to keep going,” the premier said
“At a time when Donald Trump is creating more uncertainty, the last thing we need is to rip up what’s working. British Columbians deserve the chance to choose whether we build on our progress or put B.C. at risk by rolling over for Donald Trump.”
Eby pointed to a few ways he believes B.C. is currently succeeding, including mentioning housing prices falling for 26 straight months. He also said the Province is creating “good new jobs.”
He admitted that there is “so much more work to do.”
He advised against choosing the opposition that wants to make Canada “America Junior.”
“Join me in standing up for B.C. Join me in standing up for Canada.”
He asked British Columbians to join him in saying “hell no” to Trump.
Eby was asked about his $13.8-billion deficit.
“We have $100 billion in major projects,” he said. Eby mentioned other projects, like an upcoming LNG project that could bring in billions. He said these projects wouldn’t require any further taxpayer funding.
“Instead of growing, the Conservatives want to cut and shrink,” the premier said.
The state of B.C. Conservatives
John Rustad. (Conservative Party of BC)
The Conservative Party of BC had a press conference planned for today as well, though it was subsequently cancelled earlier today “due to the possibility of a snap election.”
The Conservatives recently lost their former, highly controversial leader, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, who saw 10 MLAs drop out of the party over the span of a month — 14 in total. Since her departure, the Conservative Party of BC has slowly started to build itself back up, adding MLAs back to the roster, including former leader John Rustad.
Their current interim leader is Lorne Doerkson.
Others who joined or rejoined include former interim leader Trevor Halford, Linda Hepner, and Claire Rattée. Rattée was one of the MLAs who departed under the leadership of Findlay.
Daily Hive Urbanized reached out to the party for a response to the election news.
In response, the party called out Eby’s record, pointing to the province’s $13.8-billion deficit, 6.5 per cent unemployment, declining home sales, and low housing starts.
“At least 21 B.C. lumber mills have closed since 2023, with roughly 15,000 forestry jobs lost since 2022. That’s the record the NDP are leaving behind,” the party’s statement said.
It also addressed the concerns regarding overlapping elections.
“Instead of returning to the Legislative Assembly and trying to salvage the economy, Eby is calling an election that will overlap with more than 3,500 municipal campaigns across B.C.”
The party’s statement concluded, “People need a government focused on the basics: lower costs, safer communities, stronger businesses, and good-paying jobs. Instead, they’re getting another election to satisfy the premier’s political opportunism.”
There’s also the reality of CentreBC, a party made up of other Conservative candidates, led by MLA Peter Milobar. Reports suggest that there have been negotiations taking place between both parties, which could signal a potential unification ahead of next month’s election.
Could Emily Lowan make some noise?
Emily Lowan, the new leader of the BC Greens, says her priorities include housing, transit, and support for cities. (BC Greens Party)
Considering the relative disarray between the BC NDP and the Conservative Party of BC, it’ll be interesting to see what the BC Green Party and leader Emily Lowan do in response. She doesn’t currently have a seat, but has expressed her desire to run if an election were triggered.
Daily Hive Urbanized contacted the Green Party for a statement, which it said would come shortly after Eby’s announcement.
We’ll update this story when we hear back.
How do you feel about going to the polls twice this fall? Let us know in the comments.