Provincial, municipal campaigns collide as voters face two elections at once

“Local government matters the most because it’s impacting us right down to our front windows or doors,” Morris said. “At the same time, there is a hierarchy constitutionally, with the province being above the municipal government.”

He added that while running two campaigns simultaneously could make it harder to separate issues, voters should still be able to fulfill their responsibilities in both contests.

Not all Prince George residents are convinced.

One voter told CKPG News that having provincial and municipal candidates campaigning at the same time risks creating confusion about who is responsible for addressing key issues.

“You’re going to have one group saying something. You’re going to have a municipal group saying something else, and it’s a pass-the-buck problem,” the resident said.

Another resident said the overlap could make it harder for voters to focus on the issues that matter most to them.

Morris argues that municipal candidates can still break through, but says they’ll have to work harder to ensure local concerns remain front and centre.

“Let’s put some onus on the candidates that are working very hard out there in the communities to make sure that they’re getting what they’d like to be articulated, heard by everybody,” he said.

The election call itself is also facing some skepticism. One resident questioned Premier David Eby’s justification for a snap election, saying they are unconvinced the province needed to head back to the polls at this time.

With campaigns now running simultaneously, voters will be weighing issues at both the provincial and municipal levels in the weeks ahead before casting their ballots.

Provincial election voting day is October 24.

by Greg Fry

Provincial, municipal campaigns collide as voters face two elections at once

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