Saturday May 25, 2024 | VANCOUVER, BC
Political insights by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
It looks like the BC NDP thinks it can topple a two-term BC United MLA from the seat in Vancouver-Langara, a riding where the BC Liberals (previous name of the BC United) has held the seat since 1991 (by Val Anderson 1991-2005, Carole Taylor 2005-2009, and Moira Stilwell 2009-2017).
This evening the BC NDP announced Sunita Dhir as their candidate in the riding that includes 33rd to 41st Avenues, and Main and Granville Streets.
Pitting this political newcomer up against a long-standing high-profile BC United MLA has the strategy signature of Premier David Eby written all over it: take out a heavy-duty opponent with a well-supported fresh face.
BC United stronghold:
The Vancouver-Langara riding has been held by a high-profile BC United (formerly BC Liberal) MLA, Michael Lee, since 2017. He currently serves as the Shadow Minister for Attorney General, and Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation. By profession he is a business lawyer and also holds a B.Sc. in Biology, a BA in Political Science and an MA in Political Science with a focus on environmental regulations.
As the incumbent, in 2020 Lee won the seat in that riding with 48.5% of the vote. In that race, BC NDP candidate Tessica Truong came close with 41.4% of the votes. So it’s a good bet for the NDP to try to win Vancouver-Langara in this year’s election.
Lee won in 2017 by fewer than 2,000 votes, and wasn’t included in then-premier Christy Clark’s short-lived cabinet (the Horgan government was sworn in July 2017 based on a Supply and Confidence Agreement with the BC Greens).
In Kevin Falcon’s Official Opposition BC United, Lee has been given a lot of room to address party positions on key issues like anti-racism. He has become a well-known name within the BC United public presence as he brings a lot of depth to his participation in the BC Legislative Assembly.
Lee was a leadership contender for the BC Liberals (now BC United) in 2022.
Election date is October 19, 2024:
The upcoming BC provincial election is on October 19, 2024. The writ drops on September 21 to start the official campaign period.
See BC Election 2024 resource section in the Island Social Trends Community Calendar.
NDP hoping to topple BC United:
“We’re thrilled to announce Sunita Dhir as our BC NDP candidate in Vancouver-Langara,” the NDP posted on social media this evening.
“Through her work with SUCCESS, Sunita has helped hundreds of people connect to their new communities here in BC. She strongly supports workers’ rights and champions fair and equitable treatment for all.”
SUCCESS is a non-profit organization that supports newcomers on their settlement journey. Dhir has been an English-language instructor.
“David Eby’s BC NDP team is taking a different approach. We’re building an economy that works for everyone, not just powerful interests, so we can all build a life here,” said Dhir in the party’s statement this evening.
While Dhir is not known beyond her local circles, she has a warm winning smile and will appeal to newcomer communities. She would likely be an instant fit in a re-elected Eby government.
===== ABOUT ISLAND SOCIAL TRENDS:
Island Social Trends covers the news with a socioeconomic lens and always with political analysis. Politics impacts everything in society for individuals, households, families, business and communities. Our audience is attentive and well-informed.
News is posted daily at IslandSocialTrends.ca .
Editor Mary P Brooke has been producing this news analysis since 2008 through her series of news publications: MapleLine Magazine (2008-2010), Sooke Voice News (2011-2013), West Shore Voice News (2014-2020), and Island Social Trends (2020 to present).
