BC NDP leader David Eby is calling for national unity as Albertans head to the polls Monday in a referendum that could set the province on a path toward separation from Canada.
In a statement released October 19, Eby acknowledged Albertans' frustrations with Ottawa but stressed the importance of keeping the country together.
“I love British Columbia. I love this country,” Eby said. “To everyone in Alberta: we share families, jobs, a border and a lot of history. You have real frustrations with Ottawa, and so do we sometimes. That’s Canada. We argue, and we stay together.”
Eby warned that the political divisions behind Alberta's separatist movement could take hold elsewhere if political leaders fail to challenge fringe views.
Eby says Albertans are voting in a separation referendum because elected officials normalized “extreme ideas” — and claims the same trend has taken root in the BC Conservative caucus:
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) October 19, 2026
“By failing to draw a line, fringe ideas suddenly become normalized.” pic.twitter.com/YARw4jx49u
“Nobody wakes up one day and decides to put their country on the ballot,” he said. “It starts when fringe ideas get treated as normal, enabled by leaders who won’t take a clear stand against them.”
Eby drew a parallel to BC politics, where he has repeatedly criticized the BC Conservatives and their candidates throughout the provincial election campaign.
When asked why his campaign has appeared increasingly negative, Eby defended his focus on the opposition party's candidates.
“This is the most negative, unbelievable crop of hateful candidates that we have ever seen,” he said.
Eby draws attention to the BC Conservatives’ slate of candidates when asked why he appears to be running a “negative” campaign:
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) October 19, 2026
“This is the most negative, unbelievable crop of hateful candidates that we have ever seen.” pic.twitter.com/E3Bg37bifH
Eby has also faced questions about his decision to call a snap election less than two years after the BC NDP secured its previous mandate.
Asked why he did not instead attempt to strengthen his majority through byelections in Vancouver-Strathcona and Mission-Abbotsford, Eby defended his decision.
“I hope that we can agree this election is about so much more than election timing,” he said.
Eby defends his snap-election call when asked why he didn’t simply try to shore up his majority via byelections in Vancouver-Strathcona and Mission-Abbotsford:
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) October 19, 2026
“I hope that we can agree this election is about so much more than election timing.” pic.twitter.com/EFCEa2uu2y
In his Monday statement, Eby reiterated his commitment to defending Canadian unity, public health care, and the rights of British Columbians.
“I know where I stand, and where everyone running with me stands. I will always celebrate a united Canada, defend public health care, protect the rights of every British Columbian, and stand up to Donald Trump when he comes after our jobs,” Eby said.
In a statement, BC Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson pushed back against Eby's remarks, reaffirming his party's support for a united Canada.
“The Conservative Party of BC stands unequivocally for a strong and united Canada. Always. That is who I am, that is who our team is, and no desperate attack from David Eby will change it,” Doerkson said.
British Columbians head to the polls Saturday, October 24, with Eby seeking another mandate for the BC NDP.
