18.37°C Vancouver

Oct 14, 2020 3:40 PM -

Party leaders in British Columbia back on campaign trail after TV debate

Share On
party-leaders-in-british-columbia-back-on-campaign-trail-after-tv-debate
NDP Leader John Horgan, right to left, Green leader Sonia Furstenau and Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson prepare for a debate at the Chan Centre in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, October 13, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

The party leaders in British Columbia's provincial election return to the campaign trail today after going head-to-head Tuesday night in a televised debate.

The debate featured the three party leaders keeping their distance because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

They also dispensed with the usual handshakes in a largely civil debate, with some of the most pointed disagreements emerging on the best approach for economic recovery after the pandemic and energy policy.

The post-pandemic recovery featured heavily in Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson's attacks on Horgan as he accused the New Democrats of bringing in a $1.5 billion recovery plan that's too late for many.

Horgan tried to tie outbreaks in long-term care homes during the pandemic to previous Liberal governments, arguing tax cuts almost 20 years ago that led to 10,000 jobs cuts in health care means understaffing in the facilities and "tragic" consequences for senior citizens today.

Green Leader Sonia Furstenau separated herself from the other two parties on energy policy, criticizing them for subsidizing major projects like pipelines and delaying a switch to an economy based on clean energy.

Latest news

vancouver-council-votes-to-oppose-planned-overdose-prevention-site-downtown
BCMay 06, 2026

Vancouver council votes to oppose planned overdose prevention site downtown

Vancouver city council has voted to oppose a planned overdose prevention site in the city’s downtown, backing an urgent motion from Mayor Ken Sim following a recent announcement by the regional health authority. Council approved the motion Tuesday along party lines, with all seven councillors from Sim’s ABC party voting in favour and four opposing. The motion directs the city to challenge the site planned for 900 Helmcken St., which Vancouver Coastal Health says it intends to open in June. Coun. Peter Meiszner told council the city was notified of the location only last week, “despite ma
federal-government-signals-potential-social-media-ban-for-children-under-16
CanadaMay 06, 2026

Federal government signals potential social media ban for children under 16

Canada’s federal government is considering restricting social media access for children under the age of 16 as part of proposed online harms legislation, Immigration and Identity Minister Marc Miller told a parliamentary committee Tuesday. Appearing before the House of Commons heritage committee, Miller said the government is “seriously considering” age-based limits in response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on youth. According to Miller, the proposal would be included in the forthcoming Online Harms bill. Miller told the committee that evidence on the psychological
AlbertaMay 06, 2026

Criminal defence lawyer charged with child exploitation offences; Calgary police seek additional victims

A Calgary criminal defence lawyer is facing multiple child sexual exploitation-related charges, and police say they are seeking to identify additional potential victims. According to a Calgary Police Service news release, 46-year-old Jordan Bonner was arrested Thursday. Investigators executed search warrants at a residence and a law office in Calgary in connection with the case. Police allege Bonner engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with multiple youths and shared child sexual exploitation material. The allegations have not been tested in court. Authorities say the complainants
canadian-privacy-commissioners-flag-concerns-over-openai-data-practices-in-joint-probe
CanadaMay 06, 2026

Canadian privacy commissioners flag concerns over OpenAI data practices in joint probe

Canada’s federal and provincial privacy commissioners have released a joint investigation report examining how OpenAI collected and used personal information to train its ChatGPT system, raising concerns about consent and transparency. According to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada and counterparts in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec, the company gathered more personal data than necessary during early development stages, in some cases without users’ knowledge or meaningful consent. The report states that this information could include sensitive details such as health dat
surrey-mayor-raises-concerns-after-daytime-shooting-calls-for-police-discussions
BCMay 06, 2026

Surrey mayor raises concerns after daytime shooting, calls for police discussions

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke says recent incidents in the city require urgent attention, following a daytime shooting earlier this week that remains unsolved. According to statements attributed to the mayor, Locke said the situation “cannot continue” and must be addressed with seriousness by local authorities. The comments come after a shooting reported Monday afternoon near 130 Street and 76 Avenue, where police say gunfire occurred at a business complex. No arrests have been announced in connection with the incident as of publication time, according to available police information. Locke sa

Related News