B.C. election campaign ends with downpours, handshakes, tough questions
A whirlwind 28-day campaign has now ended, undoubtedly going down in history one of the most unusual election campaigns British Columbians have ever seen.
Continuing revelations of bizarre or outright offensive comments by Conservative candidates, an incumbent New Democrat government working double-time to try and convince voters they deserve a third term, and a Green Party working alongside a slew of Independent candidates – most political orphans after the implosion of the BC United party – have given voters much to consider ahead of general voting day.
David Eby criss-crossed the Lower Mainland with five campaign stops in and out of heavy rainfall, courting Muslims disturbed by online comments made by a Conservative candidate but also posing tough questions to the NDP leader.
On Friday morning, he told reporters that he has no regrets about how he’s run the campaign.
“We have done all we can, we have left nothing on the table,” said Eby at a stop in Coquitlam. “It’s been absolutely critical for me to show up in this campaign, to be in front of British Columbians directly, to be available to answer questions because the challenges that British Columbians face are serious and they’re hard and they’re not solved easily with a tweet or a meme—they’re solved through hard work and plans.”
Eby was greeted by enthusiastic supporters in Coquitlam, North Vancouver, Surrey, and Maple Ridge, where the final stop of the campaign saw NDP supporters at four corners of a major downtown intersection cheering him on as passing motorists honked their horns in support.
Low profile for Conservative leader
The leader of the B.C. Conservatives didn’t have any public events on his schedule on Thursday, and his team eventually decided to allow journalists to a campaign rally in Surrey that was listed on the party’s website.
There was a strong turnout for John Rustad at the event, which he followed with visits to two campaign offices on the North Shore on Friday.
“The energy around the province is really quite something,” Rustad told supporters in West Vancouver Friday afternoon. “The grassroots movement that is happening across this province is just remarkable.”
Green leader continues campaign to flip riding
B.C. Green leader Sonia Furstenau is working hard to retain her seat in the legislature while running in a new riding; she’s now campaigning in Victoria-Beacon Hill after moving back to the city from the Cowichan Valley.
“I’ve stayed true to who I am,” she said Friday. “I wanted this campaign to be rooted in truth and hope and joy, and it has been."
Victoria-Beacon Hill has been an NDP stronghold for decades, but Furstenau hasn’t been deterred, with her supporters buoyed by her debate performance, widely described as poised, reasonable, and impressive.
Furstenau and her candidates have urged voters to support Green and Independent candidates to force a minority government. She argues multi-party systems are better positioned to serve voters and re-electing her and other Greens will help keep whatever party forms power accountable.
FULL COVERAGE:
- Compare platforms from B.C.’s three main political parties
- Get important information on casting your ballot in B.C.
- See which candidates are running in your riding
- View live election results beginning at 8 p.m. on voting day
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. election campaign ends with downpours, handshakes, tough questions
A whirlwind 28-day campaign has now ended, undoubtedly going down in history one of the most unusual election campaigns British Columbians have ever seen.
Parents pull children from class over presentation at Halifax area school
A number of parents at Oyster Pond Academy pulled their children from class Friday after learning about a gender identity presentation.
Ontario man told to 'go back to India' explains why he shared video of the encounter online
A Waterloo, Ont. man is sharing video of a recent encounter with a stranger to give others an idea of the hate he experiences in the community.
Israeli footage showing the last minutes of Hamas leader's life sets off a debate over his legacy
The world’s final glimpse of Hamas' leader was rough and raw, showing him wounded and cornered as he sat in a bombed-out Palestinian home and faced down the Israeli drone filming him, hurling a stick at it.
Why Andrew Garfield’s flirty appearance on ‘Chicken Shop Date’ has the internet abuzz
On Friday, Oscar-nominated actor Andrew Garfield finally appeared on Amelia Dimoldenberg's latest episode of 'Chicken Shop Date,' her popular long-running YouTube interview show that takes place, date-style, over a meal at a local chicken shop in London.
Sydney Sweeney says she's been 'immersed in training' for new role unlike anything she's done before
Sydney Sweeney is tapping into the ring as she prepares for a new film role that will stand out as compared to her previous body of work.
opinion Liz Cheney leads full-frontal assault against Trump's MAGA Republicans
With less than three weeks before the U.S. election, Washington political analyst Eric Ham highlights a full-frontal assault on Trump's MAGA movement by Liz Cheney and a cadre of disaffected Republicans.
There may be less chocolate at the door this Halloween
If you're heading out trick or treating this Halloween, you may end up with more chips, gummies, licorice and other goodies rather than chocolate. Cocoa prices have spiked, and that could be playing a trick with what your kids come home with and what you give out on Halloween night.
Where to watch B.C. election results on Saturday
CTV News Vancouver will have special coverage of B.C.’s 43rd general election on Saturday evening, with live results and analysis.