B.C. parties begin election race to May 9 finish
VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s Liberal party began its bid for a fifth straight majority government today as Premier Christy Clark visited the lieutenant-governor to formally dissolve the legislature.
The campaign has been underway unofficially for weeks with the Liberals, NDP and Greens releasing platform details for an election that polls suggest will be a tight battle.
Clark has tried to make NDP Leader John Horgan’s judgment an issue, accusing the New Democrats of siding with fringe advocates over mainstream interests that drive job creation in a province that has led the country in economic growth.
Horgan has attacked Clark on social policies, arguing too many people have been left behind by a Liberal government that is out-of-touch after 16 years in power as he promises a $10-a-day daycare program and a minimum wage that would be significantly increased to $15 an hour.