The Premier is confident his party will be successful in the crucial Nanaimo byelection, but he is also allowing for some wiggle room in how he defines success.

John Horgan says his candidate, Sheila Malcolmson, is the best on the ballot and added the province is in sound fiscal shape so he sees no reason a riding that has long gone NDP won’t continue to do so.

“Well regarded and a solid person. She is a great candidate. There are other candidates whose parents are apparently famous in the past and they are now somehow the same equivalency as someone who has served the public for decades. I think we are going to do the best we can in Nanaimo. I think we are going to win. I am going to do everything I can to make sure that happens.”

That said Horgan also noted a win for the government could also be defined as the Green’s Michele Ney coming out ahead.

“All things being equal the people of Nanaimo, who have historically supported New Democrats, are going to look at a government that is finally paying attention to the issues that matter to them and they are going to vote to keep the government going. Whether that be a Green MLA or a New Democrat MLA I think the objectives are the same. We do not want 16 years of Liberals again. That did not accomplish much in Nanaimo.”

That said a Liberal win would create a tie for seats in the Legislature.

If that happens does it impact the timing of a possible provincial election?

“It is too early to call. I know that the opposition will be working as hard as they can but I think that they have a lot of restoration of image to do.”

Horgan also does not seem bothered by some of the verbal salvos fired at his party by Green Party leader Andrew Weaver as he campaigns for his candidate in Nanaimo.

“We have been working very constructively with Andrew Weaver and the Green caucus. We have our ups and downs to be sure but we have provided stable government for British Columbia for the past 17 months.”

People in Nanaimo will vote January 30th.