It’s byelection day in Nanaimo, and it’s a rare opportunity for voters in one riding to cast a ballot that will shape the province’s future.
Regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum, Nanaimo residents should get out and vote for someone to replace former MLA Leonard Krog.
As political watchers know well, power in the legislature is balanced on a knife edge. The NDP and the Green Party, with their co-operation agreement, hold 44 seats to the B.C. Liberals’ 42 seats.
Krog is a member of the NDP, and if NDP candidate Sheila Malcolmson is elected in his place, things will continue as they are. If Liberal Tony Harris wins, the tally will be 43-43, and Speaker Darryl Plecas will cast the deciding vote when there is a tie. That would leave Premier John Horgan’s government teetering for the rest of its mandate.
If Green candidate Michele Ney wins, the current balance will remain, but the Greens arguably would have even more leverage.
If the vote goes to B.C. Conservative Justin Greenwood, Bill Walker of the B.C. Libertarian Party or Robin Richardson of the Vancouver Island Party, one MLA would suddenly have a giddying amount of power.
Of course, if the NDP doesn’t win, an early election becomes more likely, as Horgan might find it better to seek a fresh mandate than to walk a tightrope.
The candidates have been knocking on doors and pounding pavement; party luminaries have visited the city to drum up more enthusiasm; party workers have toiled into the night.
There is no shortage of information for anyone who wants to understand the issues and the personalities in this race. For voters who want to be heard, this is the chance of a lifetime.
If you are eligible to vote in Nanaimo, study the candidates and parties, make your choice and cast a ballot. The rest of the province will be watching.
