Are British Columbians heading for two more elections this year?

Voters in the province could line up at the polls yet again this year – potentially even two more times before the new year.

While Premier David Eby threatened a snap election close to home if the northern power line bill fails to pass, another election might loom on the horizon in the east if the Liberal Party fails to find a majority for their budget in Ottawa.

The NDP government announced on Oct. 29 that it would consider calling for an early election if Bill 31 fails to get through the legislature.

Bill 31 would greenlight the fast-track construction of the North Coast Transmission Line.

Eby calls the passage of the bill a “non-negotiable” and his party would “be prepared if it is necessary.”

UBC political science professor Stewart Prest tells 1130 NewsRadio that the NDP wants to strengthen its one-seat majority and take advantage of a crisis in B.C. Conservative caucus.

Snap election would be a risky move

B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad has been under fire as members of his party openly called for him to resign.

Additionally, two prominent conservative MLAs have either left or been fired from the caucus in recent months.

“Maybe this is their best opportunity, given the disarray on the opposition side, where Mr. Rustad continues to look over both shoulders and tries to fight for his own position,” Prest said.

However, he says this thinking could backfire at the NDP as it might throw Conservative leader Rustad the lifeline he needs to hold on to his position.

“We are now nearly a decade into a steady NDP governance. We are just a year after the election. Mr. Eby is not personally terribly popular right now. We have seen his numbers slide,” Preston explained.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, the minority Liberal Party government will table its first budget on Tuesday.

The federal budget prompts a vote of confidence, and the Liberal Party’s house leader already admitted that he is not sure if his party will get enough votes to stay in government.

Having received the most votes in this year’s April election, the Carney government is just three seats shy of pushing through its proposed budget.

Therefore, it comes down to whether Prime Minister Carney can convince a few floor-crossers to move to his side for the crucial vote.

UBC professor Prest thinks it’s unlikely there will be another federal election this year — although not out of the question.

With files from Srushti Gangdev.