Monday was the first full day of Canada’s five-week federal election campaign, and while none of the leaders were in B.C., local candidates were quick to hit the streets.
“People need to vote, Canadians need to step up,” New Westminster-Burnaby-Mallardville NDP candidate Peter Julian said, as he and volunteers waved signs in the rain Monday morning.
British Columbia gained one additional riding this election, and with its 43 seats is again shaping up to be a battleground. In the 2021 federal election, the province broke three ways with the Liberals claiming 15 seats and the NDP and Conservatives claiming 13 each.
But with the NDP struggling in the polls, UBC political scientist Max Cameron said the other two parties will be looking to make gains.
“British Columbia is important for both parties,” he said. “If you look at the electoral map, there is a lot of support for the Liberals and the NDP in Metro Vancouver and the Island, but as soon as you get out of the Lower Mainland into the interior of the province, it’s really an ocean of blue.”
With the snap election call the parties are also scrambling to flesh out their rosters in B.C., and some so-called star candidates have already been announced, while others who were rumoured to be seeking a nomination have pulled out.
Former Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson will run for the Liberals in Vancouver Fraserview-South Burnaby.
Retiring Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer, meanwhile, has now confirmed he will not run for the Conservatives.
Former B.C. premier Christy Clark also revealed Monday that she would not run after sources say she lobbied for a Liberal nomination in the Surrey area.
“I’ve received lots of encouragement and good wishes from Liberals and many other friends from across the country,” Clark wrote on social media.
“Many thanks to all of you, but I won’t be running as a candidate in this election. Good luck to all those who are running for office. Thank you for stepping up for Canada at a critical moment for us all.”
As the local scene continues to shake out, the federal leaders have been making their pitches.
Liberal Leader Mark Carney was in Gander, N.L., where Canadians welcomed dozens of flights after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and called the city a great representation of Canada.
“The important thing in a crisis is to know the difference between what you can change and what you can’t,” Carney said.
“We can’t change Donald Trump, and a person who worships Donald Trump like Pierre Poilievre will kneel before him, not stand up against him.”
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was in Brampton, Ont., where he pledged a 15-per cent income tax cut if elected.
“Because we are cutting the lowest bracket, every single Canadian who pays income tax will pay less,” Poilievre said. “Modest income will pay less in overall terms and less in their shared income.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was in Montreal, making a housing pledge and calling out Alberta Premier Danielle Smith over an interview with Brietbart where she appeared to suggest she’d asked the Trump administration to pause tariffs because they were helping the Liberals.
“I think we should denounce it and call it out for being shameful, and really the focus should be doing everything we can to stop these tariffs,” he said.
The shadow of U.S. President Donald Trump and his tariff and annexation threats looms large over the campaign and turned what once appeared to be a sure Conservative blowout into a tight Liberal-Conservative race, according to recent polls.
Cameron said he expects the candidates to battle hard to show how they are the best candidates to protect Canada from tariffs and attract investment to ward off an economic shock.
“That is going to lead to discussion I think around projects, unlocking and starting projects quickly, and that could include things like pipelines which of course are highly controversial in British Columbia,” he said.
Back on the streets of New Westminster, NDP candidate Julian had one overriding message, all partisan politics aside: vote.
“We’re seeing that democratic right eroded in many countries, including in our American neighbours, so Canadians need to stand up, stand up for Canada,” he said.
“And the best way to stand up for Canada is voting on April 28.”