Wednesday May 8, 2024 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
With zero surprise to anyone who follows provincial politics, Grace Lore is again the candidate for the BC NDP in Victoria-Beacon Hill.
News of confirmation of her candidacy for the October 19, 2024 election was released this evening.
Lore is currently the Minister of Children and Family Development — a portfolio that she’s held for a relatively short period of time after Premier David Eby shifted Mitzi Dean out of that position in response to continued political heat. Lore seems to have embraced the ministry work with a natural fit for her long-standing work in women’s rights. Prior to the ministry position, she was Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity.
The BC NDP call Lore “a dedicated anti-violence advocate, academic instructor, and researcher”. She was first elected as the MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill in 2020, with the strong backing of former Finance Minister Carole James who previously held the riding.
“As a long-time advocate for people living in Victoria, Grace has been working hard to improve housing, health care, and childcare in the community,” said Premier David Eby in the statement issued tonight.
“She is a strong voice for families, women, and members of the LGBTQ community. She’s a champion for people in Victoria-Beacon Hill to have access to good services and homes they can afford to build a good life here,” said Eby.
Time-consuming job but well supported:
Lore has remarked a few times that the job of being an MLA — and now a cabinet minister — digs deep into her own family time.
Lore has strong support and recognition and is with the sitting government.
Competition this fall:
But in the fall election she will be up against BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau who a few months ago announced her relocation to Victoria and that she will be running for the BC Green there.
The Conservative Party of BC candidate in Victoria-Beacon Hill is Indigenous rights lawyer Timothy Thielmann.
The BC United Party hasn’t posted a candidate yet for the riding.
Upcoming election:
The BC NDP is running a full slate of 93 candidates.
The number of seats in the legislative assembly will increase from the current 87 up to 93 due to boundary changes producing more ridings — primarily in response to population growth.
===== RELATED:
- Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon running again in Delta North (May 4, 2024)
- Dean & Lore leading for children & families (January 15, 2024)
- Eby shuffles two women at the top (January 15, 2024)
- NEWS SECTIONS: BC ELECTION 2024