B.C. sent NDP a ‘strong message’ in Saturday’s election, Eby says

B.C. Premier and NDP Leader David Eby says his party isn’t taking anything for granted following the election results on Saturday.

Eby’s New Democrats currently sit at 46 seats, only one shy of the 47 needed for a majority.

The BC Conservatives have 45 seats, and the BC Greens have two; however, absentee and mail-in ballots are still being counted.

2:19 BC NDP Leader David Eby on ‘pretty clear’ message voters sent in provincial election

“It’s pretty clear to me that British Columbians sent us, sent me, a strong message that we need to do better and, in particular on issues of affordability, the challenges that families are facing on issues of public safety in our communities,” Eby said at a press conference, speaking for the first time since the election.

“And my commitment to British Columbians is, I take those lessons very seriously.”

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Eby said his government would put those lessons into practice right away, regardless of the outcome of the remaining count.

2:08 Both B.C. NDP and Conservatives optimistic despite no clear winner yet in the election

He did not directly address the questions about whether he will recall the legislature before the new year but he did say that it’s clear British Columbians want them to get to work immediately, especially on the issues of health care, affordability and public safety.

“We want to get to work on that as soon as possible,” Eby said.

“It is very likely, that we will need the support of other MLAs to pass legislation to do the work that we need to do and what that looks like,” he said.

“(We) will be entering into discussions as we go forward about how we find that cooperation in the legislature, but my commitment is to British Columbia. And so we will be working, immediately, to deliver for that.”

8:13 B.C. election 2024: BC NDP leader David Eby on results ‘We knew every vote would matter’

On Monday, BC Conservative Leader John Rustad spoke with Global News and said he believes his party could find common ground with the BC Greens.

“There are certain issues that are important for the Green Party that we can have a conversation about without compromising any, if all, of the principles we have as the Conservative Party,” Rustad said.