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B.C. voters tell David Eby they ‘are not happy’ and expect change


How should the new NDP government govern this province with its slim majority? Voters outline their priorities for premier-elect David Eby.

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Voters across B.C. of different political stripes say they’ve sent a message to Premier David Eby: they “are not happy” and want major policy changes in his new government.

“Eby now has an opportunity to move his party off the left as far as he is, and become a more centralist figure,” said Wayne, a retired small business owner. “I hope he takes advantage of what he’s heard from the public.”

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Wayne is a member of a panel of voters assembled by Postmedia News and the Leger market research firm, who provided their opinions throughout the campaign. Their last names are protected to provide some anonymity regarding their voting decisions.

They cited issues such as housing, food prices, education and public safety as where the NDP needs to change gears.

Wayne was one of the 2,612 voters who backed the independent candidate in Kelowna Centre, one of two ridings headed for a judicial recount because the Conservatives finished just 38 votes ahead of the NDP.

Wayne, who had previously backed the old B.C. Liberal party, now hopes the NDP will prevail, as he believes candidate Loyal Wooldridge would be a better MLA for Kelowna. He also hopes, though, the razor-thin margins in his own riding and in the legislature send a strong “change” message.

Wayne would like the next government to let communities have more say in government policies such as the Airbnb restrictions, which he said hurt businesses in Kelowna by hampering tourism.

Final ballot counting wrapped up on Monday, resulting in 47 seats for the NDP, 44 for the Conservatives and three for the Greens. Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin then asked Eby to form the government.

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Radu, a Coquitlam father of two school-aged daughters, voted for the NDP but said the election results were “a wake-up call” for the party.

“Because it was so close, they have to rein in all the stuff they’re doing incorrectly,” said the information-technology specialist.

Radu, who recently waited six months for an MRI, would like Eby’s new cabinet to focus on improving the health system so doctors and nurses will keep working in B.C.

He is raising his family in a large three-bedroom condo built in the 1990s. He hopes the NDP will put more pressure on new developments to include low-rise, family-sized units rather than the towers of small condos dominating his neighbourhood.

Nanaimo mother Jessica voted Conservative, after years of backing the NDP, because she liked that party’s promise to remove sexual orientation and gender identity resources, known as SOGI123, from schools.

She was encouraged to see some former NDP ridings turn blue, and hoped the strong Conservative opposition will force Eby to change his policies on homelessness, drug treatment and public safety.

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“A lot of people don’t feel safe on the street,” said Jessica, who homeschools her 15-year-old son. “I’m hoping that the message is clear. … (The voters) are not happy.”

On Tuesday, Eby said SOGI would remain in schools. But he acknowledged the Conservatives effectively addressed public safety and affordability, and promised to do better on both.

For Jonathan, a Prince George high school teacher and father of five children, affordability is crippling, especially with grocery bills. “We are barely making ends meet.”

He opted, though, not to vote on election day.

“I didn’t think that any of the parties were actually going to solve any of the main issues.”

Jonathan hopes the NDP will work with the Conservatives on common-ground policies, such as involuntary care for hardened drug users, and on economic issues, such as supporting the forestry industry. The teacher would also like major changes to education, including returning to letter grades and expanding gym classes.

Brendon, a father of two school-aged girls from North Vancouver, voted Green. He is not optimistic that Eby’s second term will be different from his first. “Not much is probably going to change,” the carpenter said.

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Health care is his top priority, and he would like more clarification on the NDP’s campaign promise to ban employers from requiring doctors notes if staff are sick for fewer than five days.

He is skeptical the two new Green MLAs, who are both new to the legislature, could sway NDP policies, but said it might be possible.

Eby said Tuesday he was willing to work with Green or Conservative MLAs on passing legislation, as long as they have shared values against “hate and racism.”

Stephanie, a Port Moody retiree who voted NDP, said she is optimistic about the next government, and noted Eby may find similarities with Conservative leader John Rustad on ending the carbon tax.

“It sounds like (Eby) is still reaching out to the Greens, which has got to be a good thing,” she said, “and it doesn’t hurt to have a strong opposition.”

Stephanie
Stephanie Stevenson in Vancouver, BC, September 18, 2024. Stevenson is one of our voters that we will be talking to throughout the election season Photo by Arlen Redekop /PNG

lculbert@postmedia.com

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