The snap election called Tuesday by David Eby defied a request last week by the Union of B.C. Municipalities to hold off until after the municipal election. It was disrespectful.
Thousands of us are campaigning for civic office in British Columbia in the October 17 election–like me in West Vancouver for the mayoralty–and Eby’s unnecessary move makes the situation more difficult for everyone involved. The required machinery of a campaign involves volunteers, funds, events, signs, advertising and news coverage to present a platform, identify support and ensure it votes.
The provincial election senselessly tramples on all of that activity. As I wrote (quickly) for The Hub today, this is an exercise only Eby really wants. We’ll see how it lands for him.
Ours is a campaign about change, about restoring trust, and about properly planning our community with fiscal discipline, greater consultation, and a long-term vision. My plan arises from hundreds of discussions over many months with residents, and I don’t think the provincial election will confuse their path to the polls or their appetites for new and experienced leadership.
Still, the provincial election should have waited for ours to finish. The issues we face in British Columbia are no different than they were many months ago and are no closer to resolution before the provincial vote October 24.