B.C. party leaders debate key issues in Vancouver as controversy surrounds Conservative leader’s conduct

British Columbia’s political leaders spent Wednesday outlining their visions for the province’s future during a day that mixed debate, policy talk, and controversy - all closely watched by voters in key battlegrounds like Surrey.

Premier and NDP Leader David Eby, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad, and Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau took part in a one-hour debate on Vancouver’s CKNW radio before meeting business representatives at a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade event. The Board also released findings from its 2024 provincial election survey, which highlighted affordability, housing, and public safety as top concerns for Metro Vancouver residents - issues that have defined the political mood in Surrey.

The day’s discussions came as Rustad faced backlash from the Moose Hide Campaign, an initiative against gender-based violence, which withdrew permission for him to wear its symbolic pin. Co-founder Raven Lacerte said Rustad had failed to uphold the standard of respect expected from elected officials, particularly toward Indigenous communities and gender-diverse individuals.

Surrey has become a focal point in the lead-up to the 2024 election, with rising housing costs, policing transitions, and infrastructure pressures dominating the conversation. Observers say debates like Wednesday’s will likely shape how the city’s voters - among the most diverse in B.C. - view the parties’ credibility heading into the campaign.

The B.C. Conservative campaign did not respond to requests for comment on the Moose Hide Campaign’s decision.