Could British Columbians go to the polls any time soon? It’s possible, according to the province’s top doctor.
Dr. Bonnie Henry is working with the province’s chief electoral officer to develop a plan so people can vote during the pandemic.
“We know we have a minority government in both B.C. and federally, as well as a number of by-elections and other municipal elections that are scheduled in the coming months,” she said Thursday. “So yes, we are working with [Elections B.C.] so that we are prepared as a province for whenever it comes up, whether it be the fall, next spring or next year, and that elections can happen safely.”
The COVID-19 state of emergency forced municipal by-elections in Victoria, Rossland, and Lytton, as well as a referendum on a new performing arts centre in Kamloops, to be postponed indefinitely.
“We did recommend at that time postponing the by-elections given the uncertainty that we were dealing with, but we have been developing plans,” Henry added, noting her focus is that if an election were to happen, it is done in a safe way.
In a statement, Elections BC says its very likely that the next provincial election – currently scheduled for October 16 of next year – will take place under some level of public health restrictions.
“As a result, we are actively planning and consulting with stakeholders to ensure our next election is safe and accessible for voters, election workers and political participants,” noted the statement. “Our consultations include ongoing dialogue with the Office of the Provincial Health Officer and members of the Election Advisory Committee. We have also surveyed British Columbians to hear their perspective on voting during a pandemic.”
Should a vote take place provincially, Elections BC is planning to add more advanced voting dates to spread out crowds, and increasing the use of vote-by-mail and phone voting for people who are at-risk or concerned about going to vote in-person.
There will also be caps on the number of people in a polling station at any given time and the use of personal protective equipment.
Premier John Horgan was asked about the possibility of an early election as his NDP government appears to grow in popularity as it handles the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing as long as I have the support of the legislature. We have a very precarious balance here in B.C.,” John Horgan said, as he tried to sidestep that question this week.
“I’ve said that between now and next fall we need to have an election. It’s mandated by next October. And so there’s an opportunity this fall, there’s an opportunity next spring, there’s an opportunity next summer. When that happens, is not necessarily clear to me today,”
The NDP government holds a slim balance of power in the legislature thanks to an agreement it has with the B.C. Green Party.
“We’ve been a day away from an election for the past three years. That’s been my message to my colleagues in the legislature. That’s been my message to supporters of the NDP. That’s been my message to the public,” he added.
Opposition BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson says he is disappointed to hear Horgan’s comments about the ‘opportunity’ for a fall election.
“All three parties in the BC Legislature have worked cooperatively to keep B.C. safe,” he said on twitter. “An election isn’t what people need right now, they need to know they’re safe & can take care of their families.”
