Nanaimo’s mayor says he is surprised at the results of yesterday’s election, but now it’s time to see if they follow through on their local promises.
During their campaign, the NDP made several promises in Nanaimo including a new patient tower and more medical facilities in the future.
Leonard Krog says health care was an agenda item high on constituents’ lists and bringing them to fruition is now in elected officials’ hands.
“I hope it means that the commitments made for a patient tower are carried out,” Krog says. “I would also hope that a cath lab is not far behind, because they’re both needed in Nanaimo.”
Both Nanaimo ridings had a significant turnout, with 52.45 per cent of the vote going to incumbent Sheila Malcolmson in the Nanaimo Gabriola riding, and 51.40 per cent going to George Anderson in Nanaimo-Lantzville.
Krog says the overall turnout took him by surprise.
“I am surprised the election in Nanaimo-Lantzville wasn’t tighter,” he says. “I thought there was a good chance it might go to the Conservatives, especially with the concerns around public safety, mental health and addictions and trauma.
“It didn’t play as big a role as I thought it would.”
Krog says if there is a minority government, NDP leader David Eby would have to really put into practice all his promises, especially around involuntary care, or it could potentially cost him in the future.
“I think having made the commitment around involuntary care that he now has to carry it out, and be seen carrying it out,” he says. “If not, he will lay the seeds of his own destruction in the next provincial election.”
Regardless of who forms government, and if it’s a minority, Krog says it won’t be long until an election is called again and doesn’t expect whoever is in government to go the full term.
“It’s not realistic with the current numbers,” he says. “This means there will be another provincial election sooner than later, and if things haven’t improved then the conservatives will have an advantage.”
According to BC Elections, there were over two million valid votes with a voter turnout of over 57 per cent.