David Eby more keen to talk about John Rustad’s record than his own during radio debate
Not surprising that in making excuses for a lack of progress, Eby resorted to disparaging Rustad and the B.C. Conservatives
VICTORIA — From the outset of the party leaders’ radio debate on Wednesday, Premier David Eby was at least as keen to talk about John Rustad’s record as his own.
Rare was the answer during the hour-long exchange on CKNW radio where the premier did not try to deflect attention to Rustad as an extremist who would only make things worse in B.C.
Understandable that the premier would be on the defensive.
Eby has committed billions to programs and promises on issues such as health care, public safety, housing affordability, and the drug crisis.
Yet daily, he has been plagued with news stories about emergency room closures, horrific attacks on people, disorder in the streets, soaring housing costs, and the daily toll of the cost of living.
Eby promised 18 months ago to deliver results on those files before proceeding to an election.
Promising is one thing, delivering another.
“They are really hard problems” as Eby acknowledged, half-pleading to debate host Mike Smyth. “We are just starting to turn the corner.”
The excuse only goes so far. The New Democrats have been in power for seven years, two of them presided over by Eby as premier.
Not surprising that in making excuses for the lack of progress to date, Eby resorted again and again to disparaging Rustad and the B.C. Conservatives.