British Columbia Liberal leadership candidates from left, Christy Clark, George Abbott, Kevin Falcon and Mike de Jong look on during a debate at the B.C. Liberal Party Convention in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday February 12, 2011.Darryl Dyck/ The Canadian Press
Now comes the time to seal the deal. For the four candidates seeking to become B.C.'s next Liberal premier, this week is about firming up their support across the province.
The clock is ticking down to a Feb. 26 vote when about 90,000 B.C. Liberals will choose a successor to Premier Gordon Campbell.
With a new voting structure in place, campaign travel will become even more intense in the days ahead. The weighted-vote system adopted by the party earlier this month gives all regions of the province equal say in choosing the next premier, so George Abbott, Christy Clark, Mike de Jong and Kevin Falcon have to make their case to all of the regions.
Instead of a one-member, one-vote system, each of B.C.'s 85 ridings have been given 100 points. Whoever wins more than 50 per cent of those points will become premier.
Mr. Abbott was blunt when asked what this means for the week ahead. "I'm working my butt off," he said.
The Shushwap MLA is seeking to become the first premier in more than 20 years from outside the Lower Mainland. His itinerary this week includes Quesnel Williams Lake, Revelstoke and Kelowna.
All candidates planned on the assumption that the points system would be a reality, though Mr. Falcon acknowledged that he had been a bit nervous over whether the system would be adopted.
"If that decision had not been made by the party, I would have spent a lot of time and energy and cost trying to appeal to members across the province that [were]going to have much less influence on the vote, but fortunately the party supported the recommendation, which I was very strongly in support of and that greatly strengthens our chances in this race," he said.
The Cloverdale-area MLA launched his campaign in that community then flew up to Prince George for a second launch - an effort designed to demonstrate he was competing beyond his geographic base.
Mr. Falcon, who quit his post as health minister to run for the premier's job, said he has good support in the north, Fraser Valley and will also be in the Interior and Cariboo to bolster support there.
"Our tracking is very strong, particularly after the Christy Clark-George Abbott war that took place," Mr. Falcon said, referring to the clash over policy between the two candidates.
"We noticed, right away, that their support was hit after that, and our support went up. We are trying very hard to keep our party united, keep everyone together and talk about a positive vision for the future, and get it in front of as many members as I can."
But the last week is not just about mileage. It's about message. Ms. Clark, a former deputy premier and education minister who has returned to politics after a six-year absence, will be hammering home a change argument as she travels throughout the province.
"The race is about change versus more of the same, and we're going to be crystallizing that debate. This is the debate the party is having," said a Clark campaign insider.
Ms. Clark's itinerary includes stops in the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island, Kamloops and Prince George. She will likely spend three days between Monday and Saturday outside the Lower Mainland.
Former attorney-general Mike de Jong said he sees a photo finish looming in the race.
"It will be exciting, but there are any number of scenarios at play here and any one of the four candidates … are in a position where they could emerge as the next leader."
Ian Bailey