It was a year that saw David Eby elected B.C. premier for the first time, and lead his party to government for a third consecutive term.
But it was also a year that saw the B.C. NDP lose 10 seats from the previous election – even though six more ridings were up for grabs, thanks to redistricting – while securing a majority government by only the narrowest of margins.
CTV News Vancouver’s legislative reporter Rob Buffam sat down with the premier to reflect on the successes and challenges of the year, and what lies ahead for him and the NDP.
Sitting in his office beside a decorated Christmas tree, Eby said he learned a lot from his 2024 campaign.
“In that period over the election, I think I learned more than the entire political career leading up,” he said.
Reflecting on the incredibly close results, Eby said the main message he received from voters was: “We’re going to give you another shot – but man, we better see better results in our community.”
Eby also acknowledged his party failed to connect well in rural B.C., only winning five seats beyond the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, and said he’s committed to changing that.
“The piece that gives me concern is the gap between rural and urban areas – and our need to be a government for the entire province,” he said.
On the issues, public safety remains a pressing concern. Eby said brazen attacks in downtown Vancouver this fall highlight the need for moving forward with involuntary care for those simultaneously afflicted with mental health and addictions. He said clarity on those rules, promised in September, is coming soon from the physician Dr. Daniel Vigo.
“He is very close to issuing guidelines to physicians about use of involuntary care,” the premier said.
Eby said random stranger attacks have also underscored the need for more action – potentially in the form of further bail reforms from the federal government.
“I think that we may have to be more directive with judges,” he said. “I thought that the changes that Ottawa made would be sufficient, but they haven’t been – and as long as we’re seeing those results in our communities, people will lose faith in our justice system and that’s a big problem for us generally.”
And after B.C.’s police chiefs pulled support for drug decriminalization entirely, including in private homes, Eby is not ruling out further changes to the law before the pilot project ends in a year.
“If police are identifying problems at those sites, were happy to revisit it,” he said.
On the health-care crisis, Eby shuffled longtime health minister Adrian Dix to a new ministry, and said he’s motivated by the scourge of ER closures to be more aggressive – so expect a less collaborative approach with the colleges of physicians and nurses.
“We’re going to be more directive around the red tape that prevents physicians and nurses from moving around facilities – not acceptable,” he said firmly. “Around the red tape that stops nationally trained nurses and physciains from coming in and immediately getting to work – not acceptable.”
“We’re going to be directive about that, and we’re going to require them to make the changes,” he said.
Eby’s government has come under fire for turning the $6 billion surplus he inherited from his predecessor John Horgan into a projected record $9 billion deficit. He said the goal is to move towards a balanced budget – with declining deficits — but can’t promise it will be balanced in the next four years, given global economic forces
“For example, we’ve seen Donald Trump show up and make an announcement on tariffs on Canada as an act on day one,” he noted. “Obviously that would put our economy and the Canadian economy into recession and dramatically impact Americans as well.”
As for when British Columbians can expect their grocery rebate cheque – a campaign promise of up to $1,000 per family – Eby said the money is coming soon, but would not commit to delivery before Easter.
“I can’t speculate about it. The fastest way, I’m advised, is to work with the federal government, which takes it out of our hands a little bit,” the premier said. “And I just reassure British Columbians that our goal is to get it to them as quickly as possible.”
The legislature will reconvene in February for a spring session, with a March budget – Eby’s first as an elected premier, and one he says will reflect the lessons learned from this fall’s election.
