If the Trudeau Liberals lose seats this fall, what will happen in B.C.?
Posted April 4, 2019 10:57 am.
Last Updated April 4, 2019 11:01 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – There is more than one issue that could polarize people in our province this fall. That’s according to a local political scientist, who has been looking at how the race could take shape.
The SNC-Lavalin affair will continue to dog the Liberals, says Max Cameron with UBC. But he points out the party’s advantage is that they represent the political centre.
If the Liberals do end up losing seats in western Canada, the alternative isn’t clear.
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He believes the NDP has done a lot of damage to itself with the way it removed its former leader, adding current leader Jagmeet Singh hasn’t had much time to establish himself.
As for the Conservatives, Cameron doesn’t think the party is well-positioned to appeal to British Columbians when it comes to things like pipelines and treatment of First Nations.
“One possibility I think is fairly reasonable is there will be some increase in voting for the Greens. But in our electoral system, it’s very difficult — if you’re a small party — to make much headway.”
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“They’re looking good in a number of places across the country, but certainly, here in the west — given Elizabeth May is from the west coast — and I think there’s a lot of sympathy for the Green party here,” Cameron added.
Cameron adds he thinks the Liberals will try not to lose ground in B.C. and Alberta, but it will be a tough slog.
