David Eby defends B.C. snap election and outlines campaign priorities

British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby says he stands by his decision to call a snap election ahead of the Oct. 24 vote, arguing that a narrow majority and repeated clashes in the legislature made it difficult to govern effectively. In an interview with CBC’s Daybreak North, Eby pointed to affordability, health care, and provincial stability as key campaign themes. He said U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs are adding pressure to costs in B.C., including housing, fuel, and groceries, and that the province needs a government focused on daytoday issues. Eby also addressed concerns about rural health care and delayed projects, saying his government is trying to recruit more doctors and nurses, including from the United States. He acknowledged a major natural gas royalty forecasting error in the 2026 budget and said the auditor general has been asked to review what went wrong. On LNG, he argued that new projects could bring substantial revenue and help B.C. compete in global energy markets.