Thursday October 24, 2024 | OTTAWA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
“The BC Election has shown that times are tough,” said federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh today during a media availability in Ottawa via Zoom.
The BC NDP ran on a record of addressing affordability for people, but they could not quite recreate the majority they held in the 42nd BC Legislative Assembly.
Close call in BC:
October 19 election night results in BC were 46 seats for the BC NDP and 45 seats for the BC Conservatives, with two for the BC Greens.
At least 47 seats are required to form a majority, though 50 is more comfortable (as one MLA must be assigned as Speaker, and not all MLAs are present for every vote). A cobbling together of government may happen if an arrangement can be worked out with the BC Greens to produce a majority of 48.
The NDP approach is to improve affordability. “People are feeling really frustrated and are really worried. They’re having a hard time finding homes. They’re having a hard time paying the bills, buying groceries,” said Singh.
NDP can win in BC:
“We know the Conservatives have been really trying to make a big play for the future of our country, the future of the province of BC,” the federal NDP leader said today.
“But what is also clear is that New Democrats have been able to fight back and win,” said Singh.
“We were able to beat the Conservatives in Manitoba and it looks like the New Democrats will be able to beat the Conservatives in BC,” said Jagmeet Singh today in response to a question from Island Social Trends.
The final vote count for BC Election 2024 is being done October 26 to 28. A final announcement is likely to come on or by Tuesday October 29, 2024.
The BC NDP are talking to the BC Greens about the possibility of stabilizing the 43rd BC Legislative Assembly by forming an alliance or agreement similar to what BC NDP and Greens executed in July 2017 (allowing John Horgan to lead as BC NDP premier with the support of the BC Greens).
Importance choice:
“But it is a tough fight. It reminds me of the fight that’s in front of us for the federal election,” said Singh today.
“And it is an important fight. It’s not going to be easy. But I want folks to know there’s an important choice,” said Singh about the federal election that is presently set for October 20, 2025 but could come sooner.
Singh says the federal choice ahead is between “the cuts of Pierre Poilievre” which Singh says would include cuts to pensions and health-care, contrasting “New Democrats hope and relief”.
“We want to fix the health-care system and make sure you can find a good job that allows you to find a home you can afford, you can buy your groceries, we want to lower your costs,” said Singh today.
“That’s going to be the choice in the next election and we’re going to fight hard to win over people.”
NDP stands apart from Liberals now
Until September 4, the NDP had been in a Supply and Confidence Agreement with the Liberals. That arrangement had ensured stability of the federal Liberal government during the immediate post-pandemic period (March 2022 to August 2024).
Today Prime Minister Justin Trudeau referred to the pandemic as a time of having to be flexible and adaptable.
It makes political sense for the NDP to stand apart from the Liberals as the federal election approaches.
===== RELATED:
- Immigration announcement by Minister Marc Miller – link to come (October 24, 2024)
- Trudeau is staying on as leader for federal election 2025 (October 24, 2024)
- BC Greens leader Sonia Furstenau bringing two new MLAs up to speed (October 23, 2024)
- Premier David Eby’s first press conference following thin-margin BC election results (October 22, 2024)
- NDP breaks free of supply and confidence agreement with Liberals (September 4, 2024)
- NEWS SECTIONS: POLITICS | FEDERAL ELECTION 2025 | BC PROVINCIAL ELECTION 2024