Violence should have no place in British Columbia politics, said New Democrat Leader David Eby as police investigated a bomb threat at a party campaign office on Vancouver Island.
Eby, who was campaigning Friday in Campbell River, said an NDP campaign office in the city was temporarily evacuated after the threat was made — although he was not present when it happened.
He said he is grateful for the courage of the office staff who were told to leave by the RCMP.
“We see in other parts of the world where people have to endure violence as part of the democratic process,” said Eby at a campaign stop Saturday in Langley. “We don’t want that in British Columbia. It’s absolutely shameful.”
He said he did not know what intent was behind the threat, but supported the police investigation.
“I hope they get to the bottom of it and they arrest this person and charge them,” he said.
B.C. NDP Provincial Director Heather Stoutenburg confirmed a campaign manager received the threat, and “police were immediately alerted.”
In a statement to CBC News, B.C. RCMP confirmed a threat had been received. However, Mounties said investigators determined the threat was not credible, and there was no actual risk to the public.
Campaign trail continues
It comes as candidates make their final push before the Oct. 19 election.
Earlier on Saturday, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad said he will release his party’s costed election platform on Tuesday — five days before voting day.
Rustad said the platform will outline the cost of the B.C. Conservative spending promises, including massive highway, bridge and transit infrastructure projects.
“We will detail how that will be paid for,” he said.
If elected, he said voters can expect several years of deficit spending to continue before the province can return to balanced budgets. He says it would take a second B.C. Conservative term to get the job done.
“It’s not realistic to try and do that in one term,” Rustad said. “It would be unfair to both the services and the people in B.C.”
B.C.’s current budget is forecast to see a deficit of more that $9 billion, with Eby also pledging reduced deficits in the coming years with a return to balanced books at an unspecified year.
Eby has been critical of the decision by Rustad’s B.C. Conservatives to hold off on presenting their complete campaign platform until late in the campaign.
He said voters were denied the opportunity to see Rustad defend his party’s campaign promises at last week’s televised leader’s debate because the party platform was not ready.
“We had an all candidates debate to discuss the issues, which the Green Party presented a fully costed platform, the NDP presented a fully costed platform and John Rustad presented nothing,” said Eby. “He had his chance to explain his platform and what we’ve seen as proposals for cuts, conspiracy theories [and] division between communities.
“I think British Columbians have seen enough. They know who’s on their side and who isn’t.”
Rustad was in the Metro Vancouver city of Surrey Saturday where he visited a food bank, pledging to implement a dedicated — yet unspecified — government fund to ensure help is available for rising numbers of people in need if elected.
“The need in the community is growing,” he said. “Government needs to be able to step up to the plate and be there for people in this province.”
Eby pledged to complete major transportation projects underway across the Metro Vancouver area, including SkyTrain expansions to the University of British Columbia and from Surrey to Langley, as well as Highway 1 improvements from Langley to Chilliwack.
Meanwhile, the B.C. Green Party announced a plan to expand support for technology, hospitality and the retail sector in B.C.
“We need a new vision and action plan for British Columbia’s economy,” said party leader Sonia Furstenausaid in a statement Saturday. “The world has changed, and we need to acknowledge that. These industries have the potential to create long-lasting, well-paid jobs that reflect a clean, green and people-focused economy.”