VANCOUVER — British Columbia's election campaign is into its final days, with the leaders criss-crossing the province's most contested ground ahead of Saturday's vote.
The closing argument has centred on the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Ridings such as Coquitlam-Burke Mountain, Richmond-Steveston and Juan de Fuca-Malahat — all narrowly held by the NDP in 2024 — are viewed as vulnerable, while Green leader Emily Lowan has campaigned heavily in her own Saanich North and the Islands riding and in neighbouring seats where her party has support.
University of British Columbia political scientist Stewart Prest told Postmedia the race is boiling down to a contest of mobilization, arguing the Conservatives will feel better about their polling position while warning that the unpopularity of Premier David Eby's early election call could make it harder for the NDP to turn out its voters.
Small-business owners have also used the final week to press all parties on what they are offering, raising the cost of doing business in the province in CBC Vancouver's election coverage from Metro Vancouver.
