David Eby thinks it will be good news for student interests if he’s elected as leader of the BC NDP.
On Tuesday, Eby — who has represented UBC as the Vancouver-Point Grey MLA since 2013 — announced his candidacy to replace Premier John Horgan as party leader and premier. The race is currently uncontested.
Eby said he plans to use the relationships he’s built with students and the AMS and GSS as MLA to advocate for student interests in areas like housing, transit, affordability and the climate crisis as leader and premier.
“Students will have somebody in a very significant position in government that is very attuned to their issues,” he told The Ubyssey.
On housing, Eby said the government needs to keep building student housing “aggressively.” He pointed to his work as Minister Responsible for Housing to create over 5,000 units of student housing. The NDP has created 6,439 student housing units since taking control of the legislature in 2017 — although Eby was appointed in 2020.
Eby said he would also work on expediting construction of middle class housing for older or graduate students, whether through the government or in partnership with First Nations or the private sector.
These actions will also help the broader housing market, he said.
“Building more student housing takes pressure off of market rental housing in other parts of Vancouver.”
Similarly, Eby said he will continue to work with the Ministry of Transportation, the RCMP and UBC to improve safety along Northwest Marine Drive after two student pedestrians were killed by a speeding car last September.
In the year since the tragedy, UBC has trimmed the trees along the road to improve visibility and the Ministry of Transportation has installed a speed reader — although community members have complained the latter hasn’t been enforced.
Eby said he would make sure UBC has access to funds from the provincial government’s active transportation strategy to improve pedestrian and biker safety along the road.
Another priority for Eby will be to raise student awareness around the toxic drug crisis in BC and reduce the stigma around those who use drugs to make them more willing to ask for support.
In 2018, as Attorney General, Eby filed a class action lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies for costs associated with the toxic drug crisis. The provincial government has until 2023 to certify the application.
While UBC offers fentanyl testing strips and naloxone training for eligible students, student groups like the Social Justice Centre and the AMS have led the work on campus to educate students and provide them with resources. Eby said he appreciates these student-led efforts.
“I was really gratified to see the AMS step up their education and outreach and their work with the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions to let students know about the risks and ensure the availability of naloxone kits and so on,” he said.
The election for leader is in November, with results expected to be announced by December 3. Those interested in voting need to register as a member of the NDP by September 4.
— With files from Charlotte Alden