British Columbia Minute: Ballot Battle, Tight Race, and More Election Promises

British Columbia Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of British Columbia politics.

This Week In British Columbia:

• Leaders of BC’s three main parties will participate in a televised debate on Tuesday, at 6:30 pm. BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau, Conservative Party of BC Leader John Rustad, and BC NDP Leader David Eby will be moderated by Shachi Kurl of the Angus Reid Institute. The debate will be broadcast live on Global BC, Global Okanagan, and BC1, and will also be available for streaming online. This will be the only televised debate of the election campaign.
  
  
• A recent poll by Research Co. shows a tight race between the BC NDP and the Conservative Party of BC with 45% and 44% of decided voters, respectively. The BC Green Party trails at 9%, while other parties or independents account for 2%. The BC NDP leads in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island, while the Conservatives are ahead in the Fraser Valley and Northern BC. Election day is set for October 19th, with advance voting beginning on October 10th.
  
  
• Former Surrey City Councillor Judy Higginbotham is considering legal action against Elections BC after her candidacy for the upcoming provincial election was rejected. Higginbotham, who served Surrey for 25 years, planned to run as an Independent for Surrey North but was denied due to incomplete paperwork. She claims the rejection was based on technical issues, including insufficient valid signatures and a missing address, despite submitting more signatures than required. She says she is determined to challenge the decision and fight for her place on the ballot.

Last Week In British Columbia:

• BC Conservative Leader John Rustad and BC NDP Leader David Eby unveiled competing transportation plans, both emphasizing major infrastructure projects. Rustad’s platform, under the slogan “Get BC Moving,” includes widening Highway 1 to Chilliwack, extending the SkyTrain to Surrey’s Newton, and expanding the Pattullo Bridge to six lanes. Eby’s plan focuses on extending the Broadway SkyTrain line to UBC and developing rapid transit to the North Shore and Fraser Valley. Both parties avoided providing cost estimates or timelines, though experts predict the projects will require billions in funding.
  
  
• Plenty of other promises were made during last week’s campaign stops. BC NDP leader David Eby announced plans to raise the Speculation and Vacancy Tax, while BC Conservative leader John Rustad criticized this tax, proposing its elimination. Rustad also promised to abolish taxes on tips for hospitality workers. BC Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau criticized both parties, arguing they lack innovative solutions, and introduced a forestry plan focused on sustainable logging and expanding community forests.
  
  
• Four Vancouver restaurants were added to the Michelin Guide's prestigious list. Sushi Masuda earned a one-star rating, while Gary’s, a neighbourhood bistro, received a Bib Gourmand award for its value-driven menu. Seafood-focused Bravo and northeastern Thai restaurant Zab Bite were awarded Michelin Recommended status. Vancouver now boasts 10 one-star restaurants, 16 Bib Gourmand establishments, and 50 Michelin Recommended spots. The Michelin Guide also presented special awards, recognizing excellence in cocktails, sommelier service, and young culinary talent.