As a challenging year drew to a close, British Columbia Premier David Eby introduced a note of political uncertainty, subtly raising the prospect of an early provincial election while simultaneously downplaying it as a desired outcome.
"We Don't Want an Election, But We Will Be Ready"
In year-end interviews, the NDP leader presented a mixed message. He firmly stated that neither he nor his party is seeking an election before the scheduled date in 2026. However, he was quick to emphasize the government's preparedness for such a scenario. "We're not seeking an election here," Eby told The Canadian Press. "But I want to say we're ready if necessary. We're fundraising, we're debt free, we're ready to go if we have to."
In a conversation with Postmedia, he framed a potential early call as a defensive move. "None of us wants an election, but we will go to an election because we have to protect and defend families and give them an opportunity in this province," Eby said.
The Precarious Math of a Majority Government
Despite holding a legislative majority, the Premier introduced the idea of an accidental election trigger. He suggested that if a government member was absent and a vote was lost, "then we would be into an election."
Political observers were quick to note that this scenario is highly unlikely. There is ample precedent for a government to simply recall a lost vote the next day and use its majority to reverse the outcome. The only way for the governing New Democrats to genuinely lose a vote is, as one commentator wryly noted, if they "can't count."
A more credible path to an early election would involve the government losing its majority through illness or resignation. This year, two NDP MLAs were on extended sick leave, with one still absent. A premier facing multiple byelections might consider seeking a fresh mandate through a general election instead.
Weighing the Risk Against Political Stability
However, calling a snap election carries enormous risk. The two seats currently in question are considered solid NDP holdings. The safer strategy would be to regain them through targeted byelections rather than gambling the entire government's future in a province-wide vote.
The NDP's confidence is bolstered by its organizational readiness, as highlighted by Eby. Yet, the political landscape remains volatile. The Premier's hints, whether serious or merely rhetorical, signal an awareness that his government's stability, while technically secure, operates within a context of uncertainty as it heads into a new year.
