B.C. NDP Leader David Eby Friday (Oct. 11) touted the province-wide legalization of secondary suites and other housing-related policies in Comox, where local NDP candidate Ronna-Rae Leonard (Courtenay-Comox) joined him. 

Eby also cited other pieces of legislation designed to increase density and curb housing speculation, but did not announce any new substantial policies. He instead used the occasion to warn would-be voters about the Conservative Party of B.C. under Leader John Rustad. Eby's appearance in Comox comes with advanced voting underway and little more than a week left in the campaign.

"This is a confirmation of what we are doing as an integrated platform, an integrated set of commitments to British Columbians about how we are going to make housing more affordable for them," he said, adding that the cost of housing is one of the key issues in this election campaign.

Eby delivered his speech in the backyard of Comox resident Lisa Payne, and her multi-generational household. Payne said legislative changes have allowed her to turn her home into a multi-unit home for her immediate family.

"I'm just so grateful for the things for the things that David Eby and the B.C. NDP are taking action to make this happen, so young people can fulfill the dream of owning a home in the community that they grew up in, so families have a chance to get ahead and not just get by."

Eby will also visit Campbell River Friday as part of his swing across the northern half of Vancouver Island, the second such trip during the campaign. This raises the question of whether this can be read as a sign that he is worried about losing ridings with a history of voting B.C. NDP.

"It's a sign I don't take anything for granted," he said. "I show up for Vancouver Islanders."

Eby criticized Rustad for not participating in a television debate specifically dealing with issues facing Vancouver Island, the most populated region in B.C. outside Metro Vancouver.

"I want to make sure that people in Courtenay-Comox, people of North Island, people of Vancouver Island, people of the Lower Mainland, the Okanagan, the Interior, the North, that I'm on their side. I''m not on the side of billionaires and you've got to show up." 

More to come...