13.86°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

CanadaMay 08, 2026

Manitoba declares public health emergency over rising HIV cases

The Manitoba government has declared a public health emergency following a sharp rise in HIV cases across the province, marking the first time Manitoba has issued such an emergency declaration related to HIV. According to Manitoba chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin, the number of reported HIV cases increased from 90 in 2019 to 328 in 2025. Preliminary data for the first quarter of 2026 shows approximately 120 cases, a level health officials describe as concerning. Final figures for 2026 have not yet been released. Provincial health officials said Manitoba’s HIV rate has
canada-post-begins-notifying-residents-of-end-to-door-to-door-mail-delivery
CanadaMay 08, 2026

Canada Post begins notifying residents of end to door-to-door mail delivery

Canada Post has begun sending letters to residents whose homes are expected to lose door-to-door mail delivery as part of a nationwide transition to community mailboxes. In notices sent to customers, the Crown corporation said mail and parcel delivery to residents’ doors will continue for now, but service is expected to shift to community mailboxes by late 2026 or early 2027. According to Canada Post, the change is being introduced as part of efforts to modernize operations and improve the long-term financial sustainability of the postal system. The plan would affect approximately four milli
verdict-expected-in-abbotsford-double-homicide-trial-involving-2022-home-invasion
BCMay 08, 2026

Verdict expected in Abbotsford double homicide trial involving 2022 home invasion

A B.C. Supreme Court judge is expected to deliver a verdict today in the first-degree murder trial of three men charged in the deaths of an elderly Abbotsford couple during a 2022 home invasion. Court heard during the judge-alone trial that 77-year-old Arnold De Jong died from asphyxiation after his head and face were wrapped in duct tape, while 76-year-old Joanne De Jong was beaten and had her throat slashed. The couple’s bodies were discovered inside their Abbotsford home in May 2022. Abhijeet Singh, Gurkaran Singh and Khushveer Toor, all in their 20s, pleaded not guilty to first-degree mu
canadas-unemployment-rate-rises-to-6-9-in-april-as-full-time-job-losses-mount
CanadaMay 08, 2026

Canada’s unemployment rate rises to 6.9% in April as full-time job losses mount

Canada’s unemployment rate increased to 6.9 per cent in April, according to new data released Friday by Statistics Canada. The figure marks the country’s highest unemployment rate in the past six months. Statistics Canada reported a net loss of 17,700 jobs during the month. Full-time employment saw the sharpest decline, with 46,700 positions lost, while part-time employment increased by 29,000 jobs. The agency said Canada has lost a total of 112,000 jobs during the first four months of 2026. Youth unemployment continued to outpace the national average, rising to 14.3 per cent in April. Eco
BCMay 07, 2026

Police seek public help identifying suspect in Chilliwack bus driver assault

Chilliwack RCMP are asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect connected to an assault on a bus driver earlier this year. According to police, the incident happened March 16 near South Sumas Road and Vedder Road in Chilliwack. Investigators said the suspect was a passenger on the bus and allegedly assaulted the driver, causing injuries. RCMP have not released details about what led to the incident. However, officers said investigators obtained video footage from the area showing a young man leaving the scene after the alleged assault. Police estimate the suspect is between 18 and 19

Related News