David Eby: Fighting for what matters most to BC families

David Eby has spent his life taking on powerful interests for ordinary people. Now, with U.S. tariffs adding to the pressure families are already under, he's focused on what matters most: good jobs here, healthcare you can count on, and protection from rising costs.

David grew up in Kitchener, Ontario, the eldest of four kids. His parents, Brian and Laura, raised their children to believe in fairness, and David took that to heart early. After earning an undergraduate degree at the University of Waterloo, he studied law at Dalhousie University, where he co-founded the Social Activist Law Student Association (SALSA) to promote equality; it remains active today.

After law school, David wanted to work where he could do the most good for people. In 2005, he began working as a human rights lawyer in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, alongside people who felt the growing housing crisis first and most. He saw problems that needed fixing, and right-wing politicians who weren't fixing them. So he decided to run.

In 2013, David defeated the sitting Premier Christy Clark in her own riding of Vancouver-Point Grey. He won by knocking on doors and listening to people who felt neglected by Clark and the BC Liberals - the conservative party of the day - and he has represented them ever since.

In opposition, David became one of the strongest voices holding that government to account. As housing critic, he called out the government for allowing speculators to drive home prices out of reach for BC families. He pushed for action on money laundering in real estate and casinos, and for getting big money out of politics, at a time when the BC Liberal-conservative government was resisting all three. He spent four years refusing to let those problems be ignored. Then he got the chance to fix them.

In 2017, John Horgan became Premier and asked David to serve as Attorney General. John trusted him with some of the province's hardest files, and David delivered. He turned around ICBC's finances and cut car insurance rates for drivers. He cracked down on money laundering in casinos. He held opioid manufacturers accountable with a first-of-its-kind settlement for the overdose crisis. And the first bill he introduced banned big money from provincial politics. As Housing Minister, he helped build thousands of homes and helped nearly 5,000 people move off the street and into housing.

When John stepped down in 2022, David succeeded him as BC's 37th Premier. David has built on the work they started together, keeping government focused on the priorities John championed: protecting people through tough times, making life more affordable, and making sure strong healthcare is there when they need it. British Columbians re-elected him in 2024, giving the BC NDP a third term in government for the first time in the party's history.

Through it all, David has been focused on what families need.

• Your paycheque. When the trade war put BC jobs at risk, David stood up for BC workers. Today there is $130 billion in major projects on the way, more than in any other province, and he has committed to building major projects in partnership with First Nations. Exports to non-U.S. markets are up 16% this year, and wages are growing faster than in any other province.
• Your healthcare. A million more people are connected to a family doctor. There are 24 new and expanded hospitals and 48 urgent and primary care centres. A new medical school at SFU Surrey is training more doctors here. And hundreds of U.S. doctors, nurses and healthcare workers have been recruited to join the thousands of new healthcare workers hired in BC.
• Your costs. Child care costs have been cut in half, saving families over $7,200 a year. Starting rents are down more than 10% and have fallen 26 months in a row. ICBC rates were cut by $500 and then frozen for seven years running.

David knows there's more to do. He has a plan to build BC strong: to create good jobs here, strengthen healthcare, and protect people from rising costs. In uncertain times, BC can't afford to put that progress at risk.

David and his wife Cailey, a family doctor, have three kids: Ezra, Iva and Gwendolyn. At home he's a dedicated dad, a pillow fort engineer and a dad joke connoisseur.