UPDATE Horgan calls B.C. election

Sep 21, 2020 | 11:10 AM

UPDATE 11:11 a.m.

Premier John Horgan has made it official.

British Columbia will hold a provincial election Saturday Oct. 24.

“I struggled mightily with this decision and it did not come easy to me, said Horgan of holding an election during the COVID pandemic. “Like a lot of things these days, this election is going to look different than previous ones. I know we can do it safely,” Horgan said. “There will be new opportunities for people to vote in advance or by a mail-in-ballot from the comfort of their homes.”

Horgan met with Lieutenant governor Janet Austin this morning who granted his request to dissolve the legislature.

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He laid out his case for why he’s calling the vote now, instead of waiting up to another year.

“We are not at the end of COVID-19, we’re at the beginning. This pandemic will be with us for a year or more and that’s why I believe we need to have en election now. We can either delay that decision and create uncertainty and instability over the next 12 months — more speculation, more talk about what might be — or we can do what I believe is always the right thing and asked British Columbians what they think,” said Horgan.

.@BCGreens leader @SoniaFurstenau reactions to early election call. https://t.co/KyaMV5a8eF

— Rob Shaw (@RobShaw_BC) September 21, 2020

A recent poll from the Angus Reid Institute suggested if an election were held right now, the NDP would get 48 percent of decided voters support, 29 per cent would vote Liberal, and 14 per cent would support the Greens.

The NDP premier made the announcement in Langford on Vancouver Island, which is part of his riding and not far from where he and his wife live and raised their family.

Seven NDP cabinet ministers, including the latest, Claire Trevena, transportation minister, have announced they will not be running for re-election.

“We are not at the end of COVID-19, we’re at the beginning. This pandemic will be with us for a year or more and that’s why I believe we need to have en election now. We can either delay that decision and create uncertainty and instability over the next 12 months — more speculation, more talk about what might be — or we can do what I believe is always the right thing and asked British Columbians what they think.”

Premier John Horgan.

Parties have to have candidates in place by Oct. 2.

9:56 a.m.

It looks like British Columbia will be holding a provincial election this fall.

Media have been sent notice that Premier John Horgan will hold a news conference at 11 this morning (Sept. 21) following a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin.

“Premier John Horgan will address how British Columbians deserve a say in our economic recovery and will decide the future of our province,”stated the media advisory.

Reports say the election day will be October 24.

by Pete McIntyre

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