British Columbia: The lead-up to British Columbia’s provincial election on October 19 is shaping up to be unpredictable. The Conservative Party of B.C., which had minimal support in the previous election, is now gaining traction among center-right voters. The BC United Party, which previously dominated, has suspended its campaign and endorsed the B.C. Conservatives to avoid splitting the right-wing vote.
New Democrat Leader David Eby has proposed significant policy shifts, including eliminating the carbon tax if the federal government does the same and introducing involuntary care for those with mental health and addiction issues. Eby’s plan faces criticism from civil liberties groups, who argue that it could be unconstitutional.
Meanwhile, the B.C. Conservatives, led by John Rustad, are experiencing a surge in support. Rustad, who was previously expelled from the B.C. Liberals, has taken a hard stance on issues like vaccine mandates. The BC United Party’s collapse and the rise of the Conservatives are the major political stories of the year, but it remains to be seen if the Conservatives can effectively campaign across all ridings.