Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
Election

Partisan 'acrimony' spurred election call: Horgan

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Sep, 2020 09:29 PM
  • Partisan 'acrimony' spurred election call: Horgan

B.C. Premier John Horgan says his decision to call for an election started to crystalize in the summer when his minority government ran into legislative challenges.

Speaking in North Vancouver on Tuesday, the leader of the NDP acknowledged there has been “extraordinary co-operation” between Health Minister Adrian Dix and the opposition parties when it comes to tackling COVID-19.

But he said “contempt” and “acrimony” between the parties would divert focus away from managing and recovering from the pandemic, and the best way to “put the politics behind us” was to hold an election.

“We need to be sure that the public is with us and the best way forward is a stable government,” he said.

Horgan assured voters that provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has made it clear to him that the election set for Oct. 24 can be held safely.

“Our campaign and I assume other campaigns will be focused on making sure that we’re staying in a line with the public health orders that Dr. Henry has in place.”

B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson has called for three televised debates during the provincial election campaign so voters can hear what each party has to offer.

Voters need information and debates are the best way to provide it during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilkinson said Tuesday.

He said voters need to hear his vision as well as that of Horgan and Sonia Furstenau, leader of the Green party, on issues including employment, child care and addiction.

"We're putting out the message to British Columbians that they need more information in this election. It's a pandemic election and we've never done this before," Wilkinson said, noting voters won't have access to party leaders at large gatherings like in typical campaigns.

Horgan said he would not be involved in a decision to hold the three debates, but he added he’s happy to talk to people in any format that’s safe and allows a full “airing of the issues.”

Wilkinson began the first day of the campaign by touting the Liberals' candidates so far, adding he expects to have an entire slate by the end of the week.

He highlighted transportation as a big need in Surrey, the fastest-growing city in the province, and said those working in the trucking and taxi industries also need certainty about their jobs. Wilkinson also accused the New Democrats of failing to deliver on education promises to get rid of portable classrooms in Surrey schools.

He said the Liberal party expects to release its election platform in about a week, while Horgan said the NDP is also working on a platform that will be released prior to the election.

Wilkinson and Furstenau have criticized Horgan's decision to call a snap election. A fixed election date had been set for October next year.

MORE Election ARTICLES

Political Showdown Over Syrian Refugees Re-emerges On Campaign Trail

Political Showdown Over Syrian Refugees Re-emerges On Campaign Trail
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper's opponents quickly accused him of once again trying to whip up public safety fears among voters ahead of the Oct. 19 vote.

Political Showdown Over Syrian Refugees Re-emerges On Campaign Trail

Election Special - 5 Reasons Why Affordable Housing Must Be A Priority For Vancouver

Election Special - 5 Reasons Why Affordable Housing Must Be A Priority For Vancouver
Here are five reasons why the federal and provincial government must take swift action to make affordable housing a priority for Downtown Vancouver and the city at large

Election Special - 5 Reasons Why Affordable Housing Must Be A Priority For Vancouver

A glimpse of the 42nd Canadian Federal Election

A glimpse of the 42nd Canadian Federal Election

The 2015 election is filled with as much uncertainty as what the country’s 42nd c...

A glimpse of the 42nd Canadian Federal Election

Harper, Mulcair Blast Trudeau For Promising To Scrap Stealth Fighter Jet F-35

Harper, Mulcair Blast Trudeau For Promising To Scrap Stealth Fighter Jet F-35
Stephen Harper and Tom Mulcair both blasted Justin Trudeau for announcing a day earlier he would scrap the multibillion-dollar purchase of F-35 stealth fighters to replace the current aging fleet of CF-18s.

Harper, Mulcair Blast Trudeau For Promising To Scrap Stealth Fighter Jet F-35

Good News, Bad News Economic Data Emerges During Campaign For Conservatives

Good News, Bad News Economic Data Emerges During Campaign For Conservatives
Since Prime Minister Stephen Harper's election call on Aug. 2, the governing Conservatives have been buffeted by good news-bad news economic numbers. Here's a list:

Good News, Bad News Economic Data Emerges During Campaign For Conservatives

Tom Mulcair Refuses To Axe Top Aide For Anti-Catholic Tweets; Apology 'sincere'

Tom Mulcair Refuses To Axe Top Aide For Anti-Catholic Tweets; Apology 'sincere'
At an event in Niagara Falls, Ont., a grim-faced Mulcair stood resolutely by Shawn Dearn, whose two-year-old tweets resurfaced late Tuesday.

Tom Mulcair Refuses To Axe Top Aide For Anti-Catholic Tweets; Apology 'sincere'