Candidates hit ground running in Nelson-Creston BC Election race begins
By Nelson Daily Staff
Michelle Mungall of the BC NDP party was busy running through the streets of communities in the Nelson-Creston riding.
Nelson-Creston Green Party candidate Kim Charlesworth was flagging down early morning rush hour traffic on Front Street outside the Heritage City campaign office.
Independent Tom Prior was glad-handing voters on Baker Street in Nelson.
Supporters for Tanya Wall of the BC Liberal Party were staking signs on the shoulder of the Nelson arterial.
The other candidate in Nelson-Creston is Independent Jesse O’Leary.
The writs have been issued for British Columbia’s 41st Provincial General Election after Premier Christy Clark asked Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon to dissolve the legislature, beginning the countdown to voting day on May 9.
“British Columbia is facing a clear choice. Today’s BC Liberals are the only party with a plan to control spending, cut middle class taxes by $900 a year, and create jobs to secure a strong BC and bright future for our children and grandchildren,” said Premier Christy Clark on the party website.
“The BC NDP and the Green Party would hike taxes, kill thousands of jobs and push families to the brink. My team and I are excited to share our plan up and down the province in this critically important campaign.”
BC NDP leader John Horgan began the campaign at a stop Tuesday in Vancouver.
“While Christy Clark is focused on the people at the top, my priority is making life better for people,” said Horgan.
“I’ve made three commitments to British Columbians: we will make life more affordable, fix the services people care about, and create good sustainable jobs. We’re looking out for the people Christy Clark has left behind.”
B.C. Green Party leader, Andrew Weaver, considers his party an alternative choice compared to the two traditional sides in the province.
He released his party’s Affordable Homes Strategy aimed to cool the overheated housing market, increase the availability of affordable housing and provide greater protections for renters.
“The policies of the B.C. Liberal government have left British Columbians with an affordability crisis,” said Weaver. “Thousands of British Columbians spend more than half their income on rent, a growing number face homelessness and many feel the dream of owning a home is out of reach. In a province as wealthy as ours, it is reprehensible that so many people are struggling to see a secure future for themselves.”
Keith Archer, Chief Electoral Officer said eligible voters can vote from now until the polls close on General Voting Day.
“B.C. has the most accessible voting system in Canada, and we encourage all eligible voters to cast a ballot.”
General Voting Day is Tuesday, May 9. Voting places throughout the province will be open on General Voting Day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time). Advance voting is available on April 29 and April 30, and from May 3 to May 6. Advance voting places are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time).
Voting is also available at district electoral offices from now until 4 p.m. on General Voting Day, and by mail. Vote by mail packages can be requested through a district electoral office, on Elections BC’s website, or by calling 1-800-661-8683.
Voters can find more information about where, when and how to vote on Elections BC’s website. It includes a Where to Vote application that shows voting places, their hours, and directions on a Google Map. The Where to Vote application is available at elections.bc.ca/wtv.
Where to Vote cards will be distributed starting April 20, and the dates, times and locations for advance and general voting opportunities will be published in community newspapers throughout B.C.
Voter registration by phone at 1-800-661-8683 closes at 8 p.m. (Pacific time) tonight. Voter registration online at elections.bc.ca/ovr closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time) tonight. Eligible voters can still register or update their voter registration when they vote.
All voters must prove their identity and residential address to receive a ballot. A complete list of acceptable identification is available at elections.bc.ca.
Candidate nominations close at 1 p.m. (Pacific time) on Tuesday, April 18. Nomination papers must be submitted to the district electoral officer for the district the candidate intends to run in.
For more information, visit elections.bc.ca, follow Elections BC on social media, or call 1-800-661-8683.
