British Columbia’s provincial election campaign reached a pivotal moment on Tuesday night as the three major party leaders faced off in the only televised debate of the campaign.
The debate, which was broadcasted live on CTV News Vancouver, saw BC NDP leader John Horgan, BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson, and BC Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau engage in a heated discussion on a range of issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, and climate change.
Horgan, who is seeking re-election after leading a minority government for the past three years, defended his government’s handling of the pandemic and emphasized the importance of investing in healthcare and education.
Wilkinson, on the other hand, criticized the NDP’s record on economic management and promised to create jobs and stimulate the economy if elected. He also accused Horgan of calling an early election for his own political gain.
Furstenau, who became the leader of the BC Greens just three weeks ago, presented her party’s platform of prioritizing climate action and social justice. She also challenged Horgan and Wilkinson on their lack of action on issues such as affordable housing and income inequality.
The debate also saw the leaders clash on the controversial issue of the Site C dam project, with Horgan defending his decision to continue with the project while Wilkinson and Furstenau both called for a review.
The leaders also addressed the ongoing opioid crisis in the province, with all three agreeing on the need for more resources and support for those struggling with addiction.
The debate, which was moderated by CTV News Vancouver’s Chief Anchor Mike Killeen, provided voters with a chance to hear directly from the leaders and compare their policies and visions for the province.
With just over two weeks left until election day on October 24th, the debate could prove to be a crucial moment for voters in deciding which party to support.
Early voting has already begun, and with a record number of mail-in ballots requested, this election is shaping up to be one of the most unique and important in BC’s history.
As the campaign continues, the leaders will have more opportunities to connect with voters and make their case for why they should lead the province. But for now, the debate has given British Columbians a chance to see the leaders in action and make an informed decision on who they want to lead them through these challenging times.
