B.C. NDP Leader David Eby launches election campaign a day early in key battleground

By The Canadian Press on September 20, 2024.

B.C. Premier David Eby leaves the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Vancouver, on Thursday, September 19, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

SURREY, B.C. – New Democrat Leader David Eby has launched his British Columbia election campaign a day early, making the key battle ground of Surrey his first stop.

The fixed election date of Oct. 19 means the campaign doesn’t officially start until Saturday.

But Eby boarded the bus today with his youngest daughter, Gwen, in a baby carrier, accompanied by his wife, Dr. Cailey Lynch and their two other children.

His NDP-orange campaign bus is covered in photos of people, with Eby standing in the centre, along with slogans that say, “action for you,” “homes you can afford,” and “better health care.”

Both B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad and Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau spoke to municipal leaders at the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities convention today, just as Eby was launching his election campaign.

Eby spoke to local politicians yesterday, as they presented a laundry list of concerns for the provincial government at the meeting, from homelessness to the overdose crisis and more funding to support growing pressures on municipalities.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.