Liberals, NDP cram in events on final day of B.C. campaign
Last Updated: Monday, May 11, 2009 | 7:40 AM PT
CBC News
Liberal Leader Gordon Campbell talks to a supporter on the streets of Golden, B.C., last Tuesday. (CBC) Liberal and NDP leaders have packed their schedules in an attempt to woo voters on the final day of campaigning before British Columbians head to the polls Tuesday.
Liberal Leader Gordon Campbell will cover the Lower Mainland Monday with events in Surrey, Delta, Richmond, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and his Vancouver-Point Grey riding.
NDP Leader Carole James will start the day in Metro Vancouver, then fly to Vancouver Island for a rally in Courtenay and head south through Coombs, Nanaimo and Duncan before a final rally in her Victoria-Beacon Hill riding.
Campbell spent Sunday campaigning in Metro Vancouver, where he handed out carnations to mothers at a Chinese restaurant in city's east side and then took in an Indo-Canadian bazaar in Surrey.
He asked supporters to get out and vote on election day even though poll results have suggested a Liberal lead over the NDP.
B.C. NDP Leader Carole James speaks to supporters at a Vancouver SkyTrain station Thursday. (CBC) "I read into the polls that if we get every one to vote we should do relatively well," Campbell said Sunday.
"But, you know, one of the worst things is when you see polls that suggest things are going to be all right, and people decide they don't have to vote."
James paid a visit Sunday to merchants in the Punjabi market in Vancouver and repeated her attempt to convince voters the NDP is not anti-business.
"In British Columbia, we need to ensure we get past the old divides. We need to bring business and labour together," James said.
Some business leaders have criticized the NDP's economic platform, which they said could not revive the province's economy and increase employment.
As NDP governments in the 1990s learned, investors may vote with their wallets, according to Bob Plecas, a political analyst and former deputy minister in Victoria.
"Well, you saw under the NDP during the 90s, capital left the province and people left the province," Plecas said.
