JOHN RUSTAD: I initially thought this was simply incompetence by the NDP. But did they do this intentionally to save their plans for a spring election call?

Will there be an election in BC this spring?  For those of us that are engaged

Reading of the 2019 BC government Throne Speech

in politics, this is a burning question. What could the signs be?

A throne speech normally sets the tone, and is used to lay out a vision for the next year, with hints at other initiatives. It is then defended by government MLAs.

The NDP introduced the lamest throne speech in BC’s history which simple attacked the BC Liberals, and praised the NDP initiatives from the previous year. It also contained a few populist issues and promises of programs not starting until future years.

The NDP also refused to speak to their throne speech, or defend it, leading to the shortest throne speech debate in BC history. I initially thought this was simply incompetence by the NDP. But did they do this intentionally to save their plans for a spring election call?

The NDP need to introduce legislation to support their promises made to the LNG industry. They have refused to reveal any deals they have made despite legislation requiring them to do so.

The Green Party has said they will vote against this legislation.

Are they holding off introducing this legislation to use as an excuse so that when the Greens vote against it, they can say their Confidence and Supply Agreement was been broken and therefore an election is required to resolve the impasse?

Normally government likes to roll out capital spending announcements at a pace designed to keep positive stories in the news. I have heard that many capital spending announcements have been held back. 

Is this designed to have a packed list of capital announcements just prior to a surprise election?

There are some serious economic storm clouds brewing over BC. Housing sales have dropped by about 40% year over year. And the government’s budget is predicting a further decline as well as a 25% drop in resource revenue.

Confidence in BC is shaky at best, and this will lead to significant budget problems for the NDP. Do they want to have an election before these challenges hit the people of BC?

The NDP are out doing significant advertising in Surrey, in ethnic media and in many swing riding's. Aren’t they the government of the whole province? They are intentionally targeting key riding's and swing riding's, and this is a very telling sign that they are looking for an election window. In the NDP advertising they are very focused on Premier John Horgan and rarely mention NDP. They know his popularity is better than their party’s.

AND FINALLY:

The attacks on the BC Liberals, and especially our leader, have notably increased. This type of action is almost always done just prior to an election.

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, there’s a good chance it’s a duck. The NDP are looking for an election window. Will they find it this spring?

Nechako Lakes riding MLA John Rustad

Prior to his election as the MLA for Nechako Lakes, John Rustad worked in the forest industry in logging and forest management. He started and operated Western Geographic Information Systems Inc. from 1995 to 2002 where he was engaged in forestry consulting. 

John was first elected to the BC Legislature in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009, 2013 and 2017. He served in various capacities including parliamentary secretary for Silviculture, parliamentary secretary for Forests, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. 

He is currently the critic for the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development