B.C. provincial election campaign launches with NDP health-care recruitment push
David Eby starts campaign at Canada-U.S. border, promising to triple recruitment of American health-care workers and bring Canadian doctors back home.
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The B.C. provincial election campaign is officially underway, with Premier David Eby and the NDP launching Friday at the Canada-U.S. border with a focus on health-care recruitment.
Eby promised to triple funding for U.S. health-care worker recruitment and expand the program into Republican states. He also pledged to target Canadian health-care professionals currently working in the U.S., arguing they likely feel uneasy about the direction south of the border.
"There's another group of people we want to target," Eby said. "There are Canadians who are working in American health care right now, and I am sure they feel a deep unease."
The campaign comes as several high-profile NDP MLAs announced they won't seek re-election, including Health Minister Ravi Kahlon. Meanwhile, the B.C. Conservatives are running under interim leader Lorne Doerkson, who confirmed he'll remain as leader and serve as premier if the party forms government. Peter Milobar, a former Conservative who previously left the party, has rejoined the BC Conservatives.
Andrew Weaver, the former BC Green Party leader, is running for a new party called CentreBC, led by Elenore Sturko, a former Conservative who became independent. Weaver criticized defectors returning to the Conservatives, calling it a sign of cynicism in politics.
"It's not about Trump that I'm standing here," Weaver told the source. "It's about cynicism in politics, and that has to be called out."
BC Greens Leader Emily Lowan is running in Saanich North and the Islands to secure the party's first seat. She emphasized the Greens' platform on affordability and economic resilience.
Nomination papers are due October 3. The provincial election is set for October 24.
What specific health-care recruitment targets has the NDP set, and how many workers does it expect to bring from the U.S.?
How do the three parties' health-care platforms differ beyond recruitment, and what timeline does each propose for measurable improvement?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When does the B.C. provincial election take place?
The B.C. provincial election is set for October 24, 2026.
What is David Eby's main health-care recruitment pledge?
Premier David Eby promised to triple funding for U.S. health-care worker recruitment and expand the program into Republican states.
