Eby says he'll focus on NDP's record in B.C., but can't resist more digs at Rustad

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby, centre, and Richmond-Steveston NDP candidate Kelly Greene, second left, speak with supporters during a campaign stop in Richmond, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

New Democrat Leader David Eby says he's focusing his provincial election campaign on commitments to B.C. residents after acknowledging he didn't speak enough about his team's work on the cost of living at Tuesday's debate.

But in his first scheduled appearance after the sole televised debate of the closely fought election, Eby repeatedly turned back to his opponent, saying B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad was "vague" about his plans, and pointed out again that the B.C. Conservatives had not released their costed platform.

Eby devoted much of his time at the debate to attacking Rustad, and the NDP platform released last week mentioned Rustad by name 56 times, compared with 29 times for Eby.

"He needs to be clear about what his plans are, what he's going to cut, what's not going to be available for families, so people can make a good decision for themselves and for their communities about which direction we go," Eby said Wednesday of Rustad.

Leaders from B.C.'s three main political parties met onstage Tuesday for their first and only televised debate, going toe-to-toe over issues including health care, housing and the toxic drug crisis.

Rustad was nowhere to be seen on the campaign trail after the debate on Wednesday, while B.C. Green leader Sonia Furstenau was scheduled to make a public safety announcement and hold a rally in Vancouver.

Eby was in Richmond, where he and Richmond-Steveston NDP candidate Kelly Greene met with six supporters from multi-generational families who, seated around a dining room table, described how the NDP's plans would help them.

Eby reflected on the previous night, telling reporters he was "wired" and had trouble falling asleep after the debate, adding that he would see his performance as successful if those watching at home felt he was focused on their priorities.

"That was my goal. That continues to be my goal. What drives me is being focused on addressing the issues people face in their daily lives," he said.

Eby repeatedly attacked Rustad on various social stances during the debate, calling him an "anti-vaxxer" who is "embarrassing" the province. Rustad said he was "not anti-vax, I'm anti-mandate."

Eby said in Richmond it was "critical" people knew where Rustad stood.

"There is a pretty stark choice between the two parties that are running a full set of candidates, and that choice is going to make a difference for the future of our province," he said.

Eby said he shares several views with Furstenau, including environmental goals, but cited differences including "disagreements about drug policy."

He said his government was "finally making progress" and that the province "can't turn back now," pointing to what he said were decreasing rental costs and a goal for every resident to have a family doctor by 2025.

The B.C. Conservatives confirmed Wednesday that Rustad had no public events planned for the day, with the party's only event on its website being a meet-and-greet with Salmon Arm-Shuswap candidate David Williams in Armstrong, B.C.

David Black, an associate professor at the school of communications and culture at Royal Roads University, said it was unusual for a party leader to not make a public appearance after a debate since it was an opportunity for parties to shape the message to voters delivered on stage.

“That's when — the day after — people's impressions are hardening into views and opinions,” Black said, adding that this applied especially to close election races and debates in which no clear winner emerged.

“People are beginning to decide, if you think in these terms, who won or lost or which leader do I like, or which one I don't," he said. “It's that after-debate shaping of opinion that is as important as a debate performance itself.”

He said Rustad still has an opportunity to shape his debate messages to voters this week, since that crucial moment when opinions are still forming can last 48 hours or even a few days after a debate.

“I think if a leader is absent from that, if they make themselves unavailable, I do fear — and this would be true of any leader — that there is something that they are concerned might be asked of them post-debate that would be embarrassing, that they’re defensive about something,” Black said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 9, 2024.