NDP expected to win B.C. byelections in safe ridings, but eyes on second place

The NDP is expected to hold onto two British Columbia ridings where byelections will be held Saturday after the resignations of senior government figures, but the parties that take second place could provide hints about the next general election.

The NDP is expected to hold onto two British Columbia ridings where byelections will be held Saturday after the resignations of senior government figures, but the parties that take second place could provide hints about the next general election.

The sprawling Victoria area constituency of Langford-Juan de Fuca and urban Vancouver-Mount Pleasant riding are both considered solid NDP territory, having been held by former New Democrat premier John Horgan and cabinet minister Melanie Mark respectively.

Prof. Hamish Telford of the University of the Fraser Valley said both are likely safe for the New Democrats but the byelections should also provide the government and B.C.'s opposition parties with a report card ahead of a general election scheduled for next fall.

Langford-Juan de Fuca had been held by Horgan since 2005, and Vancouver-Mount Pleasant had been represented by Mark since 2016.

"I think we would expect the NDP to win these, but in these two ridings the Greens came second last time," Telford said in an interview.

"Do they hold that position this time? We wouldn't expect the former B.C. Liberals to win these two ridings, but how does their campaign go under their new brand of BC United?"

The province's main opposition party officially changed its name in April to BC United.