Mark Carney has yet to visit B.C., may be putting his energy 'elsewhere,' say observers

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UPDATE: After online publication of this story, it was announced Liberal Leader Mark Carney will be visiting Victoria on Sunday, April 6. You can read more here.

Liberal Leader Mark Carney is being called out for not making an election stop in B.C. nearly two weeks into the campaign.

The NDP slammed Carney as “missing in action” on the West Coast, pointing out he hasn’t stepped foot in B.C. since calling an election 13 days ago.

Carney’s absence is in stark contrast to opposition leaders, who have devoted several days to campaigning in B.C.

University of B.C. political scientist Stewart Prest said it’s surprising Carney has yet to make an appearance here. In comparison, then-Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau visited Vancouver and Victoria within the first week of the 2021 election campaign.

“It suggests perhaps that Mark Carney is counting on B.C. in a certain way and looking to put his energy elsewhere where the results are more in the balance,” said Prest.

The Liberals have been faring well in B.C., with polls showing the governing party surging under Carney after Trudeau’s resignation. The party is looking to capture ridings where it hasn’t done well in the past, including the NDP leader Jagmeet Singh’s new riding of Burnaby Central.

But their fortunes could still change, warned Prest. “There’s always a risk when you take those things for granted and you count your chickens before they hatch.”

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been in B.C courting votes.

Poilievre was the first party leader to visit B.C. after the election was called on March 23.

Last week, he visited at a sheet metal factory in Coquitlam, a rally in Surrey, and a sawmill in Nanaimo. He’s back in B.C. this weekend with stops in Penticton and Osoyoos on Saturday and in Greater Vancouver on Sunday.

Singh had campaign events in Port Moody, Burnaby, Vancouver and Victoria earlier this week.

Prest said Carney’s absence could fan the flames of Western alienation. 

“It can play into a narrative where Mr. Carney is governing in the interest of, and focusing energy on, the centre of the country,” said Prest, adding Carney needs to make an effort “to show his understanding of this part of the country and to do so in personal visits.”

Premier David Eby told reporters Thursday that Carney will be coming out to B.C. next week and that the pair will meet in-person.

Since the election call, Carney has not been farther west than Winnipeg, although he said Friday he will be back in Western Canada on Sunday.

Carney has campaigned mostly in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, and twice now has suspended his tour to return to Ottawa amid new tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump, in order to meet with premiers and his cabinet and business advisory committees on Canada-U.S. relations.

chchan@postmedia.com

With files from Canadian Press