Eby sidesteps election questions, makes PST and ferry announcements at municipal leaders convention

Eby sidesteps election questions, makes PST and ferry announcements at municipal leaders convention

Eby says no decision made yet on whether to call snap election

Premier David Eby announced a delay in a planned PST expansion and a future commitment to build B.C. Ferries vessels at home, as he spoke to local politicians at their annual convention Friday.

The speech, delivered at the end of the Union of B.C. Municipalities gathering, comes amid speculation that Eby may disrupt upcoming municipal elections with his own provincial vote.

But asked whether Friday's commitments were related to that possibility, the premier said, "I don't have any announcements to make about an election today."

He promised several measures in his speech, including a delay on the planned expansion of PST to professional services, which had been set to take effect Oct. 1.

An all-party government committee asked him to scrap the PST expansion a month ago.

“Delaying these changes until we’re clear on Trump’s trade war gives businesses the breathing room that they need,” Eby said.

“We hope that this change helps you manage your expenses as well in these uncertain times."

Municipal and provincial elections at the same time in B.C.? Local politicians argue that's a bad idea

Eby told municipal leaders he will direct B.C. Ferries to ensure the next generation of vessels be built in the province.

It comes weeks after labour unions launched a campaign asking for exactly that.

Eby also announced he has appointed three forestry industry representatives “to identify the mechanisms we can use as a province to stabilize the sector.”

The representatives consist of senior public service employees from the jobs ministry, the forests ministry, and the land and resources ministry.

Eby recognizes 'anxiety' speculation is causing

The premier's annual speech to delegates at the UBCM convention comes days after he said he warned Elections B.C. and his caucus to be "election ready" amid disruptions posed by the U.S. trade war.

A vote just two years into the NDP government's mandate could overlap with the municipal election campaign that runs from Sept. 19 to Oct. 17, and the union's president, Cori Ramsay, said that would be a disservice to citizens.

When asked if he would call a snap election in the midst of municipal elections, Eby responded that no decision has yet been made.

"I understand the anxiety of candidates in the room," he said. "The issues faced by local governments are crucial for the future of the province, it’s important that they have the attention that they need."

Ramsay, a Prince George city councillor, said provincial leaders must uphold the principle of separate periods for local and provincial campaigns, so residents can properly consider the issues as they choose among 3,500 candidates running in local races.

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Eby's speech comes a day after B.C. Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay told delegates that she wasn't going anywhere after being asked to resign by two members of her Opposition caucus, which has suffered nine defections in recent weeks.

Findlay called the prospect of a snap election a "cynical move" by a premier who knew she would win a Sept. 26 byelection in Abbotsford-Mission.

Michelle Gomez is a writer and reporter at CBC Vancouver. You can contact her at michelle.gomez@cbc.ca.

With files from The Canadian Press