October provincial election called in B.C.

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The date of final voting is a week after municipal elections are scheduled, and Eby called the vote despite pleas from numerous local government leaders not to overlap the campaigns.

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Eby said “recently and massively escalating threats” against B.C.’s economy, workers and communities are why an early election is being called.

“That choice I think should go to British Columbians because there is an alternative that’s being proposed,” Eby said.

When questioned by reporters, Eby was adamant that the perception to call an early election was driven by personal ambition as opposed to what’s in the best interest of British Columbians.

He contended over $100 billion in major projects are materializing in the province over the next two years.

“We’ve got to do more, families are hurting, the price of gas, the price of groceries, the price of essentials, they’re struggling, they need our support.”

The snap election comes amid frantic efforts on the right side of the political spectrum to consolidate their ranks following the resignation of former Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay on Sunday after less than four tumultuous months leading the party.

Five MLAs who recently resigned or were expelled by Findlay from the Conservative caucus were welcomed back on Monday, bringing the party’s ranks to 29, but that was set to change again with Findlay’s husband, legislator Brent Chapman, announcing on Tuesday that he is leaving the Conservatives to join OneBC.

That right-leaning party is led by Dallas Brodie, who was expelled from the official Opposition last year by former leader John Rustad, who accused her of mocking former residential school students.

Eby, whose government has a one-seat majority, likened the threat posed by Trump to a wildfire.

“When you smell smoke you don’t sit and wait to see what happens next,” he said outside Government House, calling for a firebreak against both the trade war and “Trump-style politics.”

The province has a projected $38.5 billion deficit over the next three fiscal years, including a record $13.8 billion deficit this year.

—With files from The Canadian Press.

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