While BC Liberals claimed that a fall election might be right in the middle of a possible second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic but their real worry is that with NDP surging in the polls – it could be a washout for them. According to the BC Liberals, they got hold of recording from a June 9th NDP online campaign training event, where Premier John Horgan tells participants: “The election could come at any time. This fall, next spring.” The training session was the first in an intensive two-week program focused on how to campaign during a pandemic, including tactics geared to a “socially-distant election”.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VANCOUVER – The BC Liberals are crying foul after learning of BC NDP’s plans for a possible fall 2020 election.

While they claimed that it might be right in the middle of a possible second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic but their real worry is that with NDP surging in the polls – it could be a washout for them.

According to the BC Liberals, they got hold of a recording from a June 9th NDP online campaign training event, where Premier John Horgan tells participants: “The election could come at any time. This fall, next spring.” The training session was the first in an intensive two-week program focused on how to campaign during a pandemic, including tactics geared to a “socially-distant election”.

“The timing of the next election is entirely up to the NDP. If there’s a provincial election in fall 2020, it’s because John Horgan chooses to trigger one,” said Mary Polak, BC Liberal House Leader and MLA for Langley – pointing out that the next election is not scheduled to take place until October 16, 2021. “If John Horgan wants an election this fall, he needs to explain to British Columbians why the NDP’s political agenda is more important than their health, safety, and economic recovery.”

With the timing of the next election in the hands of the NDP, the BC Liberals have been focused on preparing for a campaign that could come anytime – nominating new candidates at an aggressive pace and steadily closing the fundraising gap with the NDP.

However, in a letter sent to all major political parties on April 22, Elections BC cited guidance from Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry that “elections represent a significant public health risk, and…should be deferred until such time in the future that they can safely be held.”

“The BC Liberals will be ready to fight an election anytime John Horgan decides to trigger it — but we believe the health and safety of British Columbians is way more important than political games.” said Emile Scheffel, BC Liberal Executive Director. “That’s why we’re calling on John Horgan to rule out an election this fall — or clearly tell British Columbians why he believes partisan politics should take priority over beating the virus and getting BC on track for economic recovery.”