NDP’s David Eby says some Opposition want the province as ‘American protectorate’

MAPLE RIDGE — New Democrat Leader David Eby says some members of the Conservative Opposition have a vision to make British Columbia a protectorate of the United States, and its leader isn’t doing enough to rein them in.

Eby says interim B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson can’t stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump because he can’t stand up to members of his own party whose ideologies align with MAGA-style politics to the south.

He criticized the decision by some Conservative caucus members to meet with U.S. ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra and says they suggested they would drop the province’s ban on U.S. alcohol, something Doerkson has denied.

The NDP leader made his comments at a campaign event in Maple Ridge where he announced new procurement rules for public infrastructure projects.