David Eby seeking BC NDP leadership, premier seat

One of the most high-profile members of the BC NDP, David Eby, wants to replace John Horgan as party leader and premier later this year.

Eby, the province’s Attorney General has represented the Vancouver Point Grey riding since 2013, when he won over then-premier Christy Clark.

He has handled prominent files including the investigation into money laundering in B.C., addressing the housing crisis, as well as ICBC’s move to a no-fault car insurance model.

“There are definitely folks who are embedded in the existing systems and benefiting from them, who didn’t want those changes to be made. But sometimes, in order to make changes, you do have to affect different people. Those were difficult decisions. That’s what governance is about. I make no apologies for making the best decisions for British Columbians,” he told CityNews on Tuesday.

Eby, who is also the minister responsible for housing, will be the only BC NDP member to announce a bid for the leadership so far. Other high-profile MLAs, including Ravi Kahlon and Nathan Cullen announcing they will not enter the race. Selina Robinson, Lana Popham, Josie Osborne bowed out on Monday. Health Minister and former leader Adrian Dix has also said he will not be running.

The new leader of the BC NDP will run against BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon in the next election. But Eby said Falcon isn’t really on his mind right now.

“For me, the focus and my success will be … whether or not people feel like we’re fighting for them and delivering for them. It’s not going to be about Kevin Falcon, it’s not going to be about the BC Liberals — or whatever their party is called — it’s going to be about, really about focusing on on British Columbians and their needs.”

He says he can offer stability to British Columbians.

“Right now, there are a lot of challenges in our province — rising costs, we’re still recovering from various climate crises and emergencies, as well as the pandemic — what people want is for us to focus on their priorities and not on politics,” he said.

“I’ve got support from a lot of colleagues, and we just want to get on with the work.”

CityNews asked Eby about the prospect of replacing Horgan being perceived as a lack of diversity in the party but he argued the diversity comes from his colleagues.

“I’m just incredibly honored to have the support of an incredibly diverse array of my colleagues in the legislature, both who they represent personally as well as their communities from all across the province. I’m going to continue that work that Premier Horgan started around increasing the diversity, not just in our caucus, but also across the public sector and all of our board and tribunal appointments to make sure that British Columbians can see themselves in government. The leader is just one person in the caucus.”

The top priorities right now in B.C., Eby says, are housing costs, grocery and fuel prices, and health care.

The BC New Democrats will elect their new leader on Dec. 3, 2022. The campaign period started on July 17, with voting beginning “as early” as Nov. 13.

People can sign up as members to vote until Sept. 4. The deadline for members to enter the leadership race is Oct. 4.

One outsider who some believe to be a possible contender is Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West. He has not said at this point whether or not he will run.

Horgan has been the leader of the BC NDP since 2014. He was sworn in as premier of in July of 2017, and is currently the MLA of Langford-Juan de Fuca.

In announcing his plans to retire, Horgan said he came to the decision alongside his wife after much reflection.

“Many of you will know, in fact I’m pretty sure it’s not a secret, that I have gone through my second bout of cancer and successfully went through 35 radiation treatments and I am currently cancer-free. My health is good but my energy flags as the days go by,” he said.

“So before I could ask my colleagues what their plans were for the coming two years and beyond, I had to ask myself that,” the premier continued. “We came to the conclusion that I’m not able to make another six-year commitment to this job and as a result I’ve asked Aaron Sumexheltza, the president of the BC NDP, to work with our governing body, the provincial council, and the executive, to select a date in the fall for a leadership convention.”

Related articles: 

• B.C. Premier John Horgan to step down

• Ravi Kahlon won’t seek BC NDP leadership

• Selina Robinson, Lana Popham, Josie Osborne not seeking BC NDP leadership

Horgan announced late last year that he had been diagnosed with cancer again after he discovered a lump in his neck. He finished his treatment in January.

The next fixed provincial election date is in 2024, but the new NDP leader could call one as early as next year.

With files from Hana Mae Nassar