Former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell says voters should “remember” David Eby’s record rather than focus on Eby’s pitch ahead of the Oct. 24 provincial election.
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Former B.C. premier Gordon Campbell has published an opinion arguing that the Oct. 24 provincial election campaign should focus on David Eby’s record instead of what Campbell describes as Eby’s message to voters.
In the opinion, Campbell writes that Eby “called the election for David Eby,” adding that he believes no one “asked for” the election call and that Eby is counting on the public to forget his performance as premier.
Campbell says his concerns include what he describes as secrecy and deception, emergency care access problems, and delays that lead to people being placed on “wait lists.” He also points to claims of “billions in cost overruns” on capital projects.
The opinion also argues, from Campbell’s perspective, that the NDP’s approach has contributed to uncertainty in the economy, affecting industries including forestry, mining, agriculture, ranching and energy.
Campbell further claims that Eby’s government opposed the Site C dam and that B.C., in Campbell’s account, is now a net importer of electricity from the United States. He also writes that Campbell believes a “tanker ban” and opposition to pipelines have contributed to oil being sold to Americans at a discount.
On housing, the opinion argues that Campbell links Eby to broader affordability problems, saying it has become increasingly difficult for young people to own a home and that homeowners’ property rights are at risk.
Campbell also ties his criticism to what he describes as the B.C. legislature’s wording about “British Columbians,” and he cites the DRIPA law in arguing it creates uncertainty over the resource economy, including schools and curriculum.
In the opinion’s closing, Campbell urges voters to “remember” on Oct. 24, arguing that another term for Eby and the NDP would lead to outcomes Campbell characterizes as higher costs, greater debt, growing deficits, declining education and worsening health care.
Campbell is identified in the opinion as a former premier of British Columbia, former mayor of Vancouver and former High Commissioner of Canada to the United Kingdom.
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