The BC NDP kicked off its election campaign in Richmond Saturday morning with the premier and Richmond’s four candidates in attendance.
The provincial election officially began on Saturday in anticipation of the Oct. 19 final voting day.
At the Richmond rally, which took place on No. 3 Road near Ackroyd Road, Premier David Eby slammed the leader of the Conservative Party of BC, John Rustad, linking previous BC Liberal government policies directly to him.
He also linked Rustad’s candidates to conspiracy theories and the trucker convoy that descended on Ottawa in 2022.
Meanwhile, in response to a question about the suspension of a BC Housing project in Richmond, Eby said the NDP is committed to getting people out of temporary supportive housing into permanent housing.
However, he added, there needs to be better engagement “around location and the operation at BC Housing facilities.”
BC Housing was going to build a 90-unit building on city land for people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. Rallies, however, were held in opposition, with many BC Conservatives in organizing roles.
“We need to make sure that the facilities have the services and the support that they need to support the larger community,” Eby said.
“Those concerns that people bring forward about that kind of housing where people are struggling with homelessness in their community, sometimes there’s just no addressing it, but many times they raise concerns that allow us to improve things or choose a better site to make sure it’s more responsive to the needs of the community.”
Election period underway
Advance voting will take place between Oct. 10 and 13, Oct. 15 and 16 and all advance voting locations will be wheelchair accessible.
Voting by mail is an option for all eligible voters. Voters can request a vote-by-mail package online at votebymail.elections.bc.ca, by phone at 1-800-661-8683, or in person at any district electoral office.
The completed package must be received by Elections BC before 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on Oct. 19. See the Vote by Mail page on the Elections BC website for more information.
The last opportunity to vote will be on, Saturday, Oct. 19. Voting places will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Use the Where to Vote app to find voting places near you and the dates they are open.
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