A rancorous Social Credit leadership convention in spring 1991 saw Rita Johnston defeat Grace McCarthy to briefly become Premier. But the NDP was ready and focused on improving health care, restoring cuts to education, ensuring a woman’s right to choose, and working with industry, unions, environmentalists and communities to completely reform BC forest practices and protect BC’s natural heritage. As well, the NDP was now showing real strength in the South Asian Community with the election of Moe Sihota in 1986. And Harcourt’s strong civic connection to the Chinese community helped as well. The Social Credit vote began to unravel mid-campaign and some in the media began promoting Gordon Wilson’s Liberals as the alternative to the NDP. Harcourt stood firm, and the NDP message Time for a Change won the day. The NDP swept into office with a huge majority government, but just 40% of the vote. The Liberals finished second. After forty years, it was the effective end of Social Credit in BC.
BC NDP sweeps in
