NDP Premier David Eby is desperately trying to get Elections BC to change the BC Conservatives’ ballot name just two weeks before the election. 

According to Rob Shaw of Chek News, the BC NDP went to court on Friday morning, “demanding Elections BC force the BC Conservatives to change its name on the election ballot from: Conservative Party to BC Conservative.”

The BC NDP is arguing that the Conservatives are attempting to confuse the public by aligning their identity with that of the federal Conservatives. 

However, it’s worth noting that the name on the ballot during the 2023 byelections was “Conservative Party,” while in the 2020 elections, it was listed as just “Conservative.”

Rustad climbs ahead of Eby: poll

The development comes a week after the BC Conservatives have pulled ahead of the governing NDP, with the election slated for Saturday, October 19. 

According to Leger’s September 27 to 30, 2024 poll, Rustad’s Conservatives are projected to win 46% of the vote, three points ahead of Premier Eby’s NDP. 

The election is shaping up to be one of the most popular in the province’s history, with 84% of voters indicating they plan to cast their ballots.

Rustad’s favourability is lower than Eby’s, with 36% of respondents viewing Rustad favourably compared to 46% for Eby. Despite this, 55% of people believe the province is heading in the wrong direction, while only 36% think it’s on the right track.

The BC Conservatives’ rise in popularity is remarkable, considering that just four years ago, they were a minor party with next to no support. In the 2020 provincial election, they received less than two percent of the vote. 

However, just after Rustad was elected the party’s leader in March of last year, the party has consistently risen in the polls.