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B.C. NDP Leader David Eby speaks during a campaign stop in Vancouver, Oct. 19.ETHAN CAIRNS/The Canadian Press
Tensions rose on the campaign trail in British Columbia on Monday as B.C. NDP Leader David Eby scrambled to explain comments he made earlier in the day about the tragedy at CFB Wainwright, which followed suggestions that some BC Conservatives harbour separatist sentiments.
BC Conservative interim leader Lorne Doerkson called the remarks unacceptable.
Later in the day speaking in Hope, B.C., Mr. Eby said he didn’t use the tragedy for political gain and will steer clear of the topic through to voting day.
“Let me say unreservedly I would never, ever use the sacrifice of these young men, the grief of their families for political advantage to attack another party,” Mr. Eby said.
Earlier, he referenced the loss of the four soldiers lives in the fire as being “our true heroes” who had put their lives on the line to defend Canada.
“What we can do for them is stand up for a united Canada, to stand up for our country,” he said.
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During the same appearance, he drew a contrast with three Conservative candidates – Bryan Tepper, Heather Maahs and David Williams – who the NDP said are present in openly separatist Facebooks groups, including the BC Prosperity Project advocacy group, which is associated with an Alberta group advancing sovereignty.
“They are enabling and legitimizing a fringe political project in British Columba to try and separate us from Canada, and that is how you end up with a referendum on separation,” Mr. Eby said.
But hours later, Mr. Eby acknowledged that Mr. Doerkson had criticized Mr. Eby for using the horrific events in Alberta for political purposes.
And that’s when Mr. Eby sought to clarify his commentary.
Mr. Doerkson said that his party “unequivocally” stands for a strong and united Canada.
“That is who I am, that is who our team is, and no desperate attack from David Eby will change it,” Mr. Doerkson said in a statement,
“Invoking soldiers we lost this weekend in an attempt to save his own job is beyond the pale. Their sacrifice belongs to their families and to our country, never to a premier’s re-election campaign. This is a pathetic, desperate distraction from his record.”
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The BC Conservatives did not respond to an e-mailed request for comment regarding Mr. Eby’s allegations. E-mailed requests for comment from the three candidates were not returned.
The back and forth played out as Albertans went to the polls to decide whether the province should pursue separation through a future binding referendum.
Also, in the House of Commons, MPs held a moment of silence and adjourned the House of Commons for the day in honour of the victims of the fire.
Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke of the four soldiers killed. “These were sons, brothers, partners, and friends. Young men with bright futures who chose to serve our country and who died in that cause. We will honour them always.”
B.C.’s advanced polls are open through Wednesday and the general provincial election is Saturday.