THE NDP said on Monday that a new ad from the BC Liberals wrongly claims an election is “risking our health.” The statement directly contradicts what public health officials have said about the safety of an election. 

BC Liberal Health Critic Norm Letnick also wrongly claimed an election is “hazardous.”
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry: “We are working with them so that we are prepared as a province for whatever comes up, whether it be the fall, next spring, next year, and that elections can happen safely.” (Jul 24 2020)

Elections BC says: “The COVID-19 pandemic makes it very likely that the next election will be held under some level of public health restrictions. As a result, we are actively planning and consulting with stakeholders to ensure our next election is safe and accessible for voters, election workers, and political participants. We want to make sure that voters don’t have to choose between exercising their right to vote and safeguarding their health.”

Journalist Keith Baldrey noted Monday morning: “It’s not going to be unsafe to vote, I mean let’s make that clear. We line up everyday to go into our grocery store. You can line up to go into a voting station. Elections BC is taking steps to ensure voting, whether it’s a physical presence in a polling station or not, is going to be a safe endeavour. So I think you can take that one off the table.” (Sep 21 2020)

The inaccurate ad is available here.