Here are some key points of last night’s heated BC Leaders debate

On Tuesday evening, the leaders of BC’s three major political parties debated the province’s major issues. 

The debate was heated at times with the Conservative Party of BC’s leader John Rustad and the BC NDP’s leader David Eby criticizing one another over policies and transparency. 

Leader of the BC Green Party, Sonia Furstenau was also critical of her opponents but kept her talking points more concise and focussed on the questions she was being asked. 

Specifically, Furstenau called out Rustad for being a “climate change denier”. 

Rustad was also called out by Premier Eby for his constantly changing views and policies regarding safe consumption sites. 

Early on in the campaign, Rustad’s messaging was that he would put an end to all safe consumption sites which he called drug dens, but now the Conservative leader has released the party’s ‘BC Recovers’ plan which states that safe consumption sites will still be part of their strategy if elected. 

Meanwhile, Eby admitted that the BC NDP’s decriminalization plan wasn’t what was best for the province during the debate, but added that this shows that his government is listening and adapting. 

“We’re going to have to try different things, we’re going to have to do different things to get at this and provide people with the support that they need,” Eby said during the debate.

“It’s not okay to play politics with it John, it’s not okay to say to one community when you’re in Richmond, to the Chinese community, we’re going to close all the overdose prevention sites, we’re going to close the ‘drug dens’ you called them and then later on say we’re not going to close them.”

Rustad says that if occupants of supporting housing are caught dealing drugs, “the facility should be shut down”.

— Victoria Buzz (@victoriabuzzes) October 9, 2024

Earlier this month, a video was leaked which showed Rustad speaking to a group of people who were against the COVID-19 vaccine and mandates. 

In that video, Rustad expressed regret for being vaccinated and called the inoculation a “so-called vaccine”. 

Eby and Furstenau pointed this out during the debate. 

“We were all rolling up our sleeves to get vaccines to protect vulnerable seniors from COVID-19. Bonnie Henry was working night and day to keep us safe during the pandemic,” Eby said. 

“John Rustad and his candidates were providing donations to people who were protesting outside hospitals, anti-vax convoy members—he’s still an anti-vaxxer, he appeared in front of a group of people and called it a ‘so-called vaccine.’”

Rustad refuted this claim but it is true, as seen here. 

The Conservative’s leader added that he is not anti-vax, he is anti-mandate in regards to vaccinations. 

Both Rustad and Furstenau were critical of Eby and the BC NDP for not mitigating the drug crisis and housing issues in the seven years the party has been in power in BC. 

Rustad: “We need to make sure we’re coming into homes to provide support for seniors.”

— Victoria Buzz (@victoriabuzzes) October 9, 2024

Another point that was brought up was that the Conservatives have not been transparent in their communications with the media. 

On several occasions, Victoria Buzz has reached out to the party for clarification on their policies, but received no response. 

This is happening to most media outlets who have been trying to get information from Rustad and the Conservatives, as pointed out by Eby in the debate.

Following the debate, all three parties sent out press releases on what was addressed. 

The Conservatives claim that Furstenau and Eby ganged up on Rustad.

The BC NDP believed if there was a winner of the debate, it was Premier Eby and sent a myriad of quotes from political pundits as well as regular voters who tuned into the debate. 

“Listen, I’m no New Democrat or Eby supporter – I’m a centrist, a moderate. But I have to say, without a shadow of a doubt, David Eby won this debate. He was more likeable, had a better command of the issues and contrasted well,” said former BC Liberal candidate Gabe Garfinkel. 

Related: 

• BC Conservatives announce drug crisis plan which includes involuntary treatment
• BC NDP critical of Conservatives’ comments on tax breaks for top 2% of British Columbians
  
• John Rustad called out for controversial remarks about vaccines and harm reduction

The BC Greens said that Furstenau was the one in the spotlight at the end of the debate due to the frequency of Eby and Rustad arguing with one another. 

“John Rustad has embraced conspiracy theories and his lack of grasp on reality makes him incapable of solving the complex problems we face. David Eby has flip-flopped and adopted Rustad’s positions,” said the BC Greens in a media release.

“Only Sonia Furstenau knows what she stands for: a British Columbia where everyone’s basic needs are met, that government functions efficiently and we are building a clean and fair economy full of opportunity for all.” 

Following the debate, the BC NDP pulled slightly ahead of the Conservatives in the polls, although the two parties are still neck-and-neck. 

As of this publication, the BC NDP are polling at 46% of the popular vote and the Conservatives are polling at 44%. 

The BC Green Party are polling at just 9% of the popular vote. 

The election is just 10 days away now on Saturday, October 19th.