The 2024 provincial election left the BC NDP with a narrower mandate than expected, securing only 47 out of 93 seats. A 27-vote margin in Surrey-Guildford—currently under judicial recount—underscores just how challenging the party’s position has become. Voters across the province have sent a clear message: on the issues that matter most—health care, housing, affordability and public safety—the status quo is no longer acceptable.
The good news for Premier David Eby is that voters have given him the opportunity to do better. However, he will have to do so with the slimmest of majorities.
In Times of Crisis, Speed and Purpose Are Critical
Effective reputation management is essential at moments like these. To increase public confidence, the government must act decisively and align its actions with the concerns of British Columbians. This is not a time for incrementalism or caution. Governments, like organizations facing reputational risk, must respond boldly, demonstrating that they understand the depth of public frustration and are ready to address it with purpose and urgency.
Urgency: The Foundation of Rebuilding Trust
When reputations falter, speed matters. Waiting until February 2025 to introduce major legislative initiatives, as Eby has suggested, is risky. The delay has already sparked questions—“Why wait so long?”—on radio call-in shows. While thoughtful planning is important, waiting too long risks reinforcing the perception among swing voters—many of whom shifted to the BC Conservatives—that the government is out of touch with the urgent needs of British Columbians.
The challenges of health care, housing, affordability and public safety cannot wait. Best practices in reputation management emphasize the importance of confronting dissatisfaction head-on with decisive actions that show leadership. Now is the time for the government to signal clearly that solutions are already in motion.
Clear Priorities: The Key to Restoring Public Confidence
Success in managing reputational risk lies in focusing on a few core priorities and pursuing them with determination. Trying to do too much risks spreading attention and resources too thinly, which would dilute the impact of critical initiatives. The government must prioritize a handful of essential issues—health care, housing, affordability and public safety—and tackle them with the urgency the moment demands.
The problems British Columbians are facing require more than pilot programs or consultations. The public doesn’t expect every issue to be solved overnight, but they do expect bold, focused efforts that deliver meaningful progress.
Bold Action Paired with Relentless Communication
Voters who switched away from the BC NDP have made it clear that general assurances are no longer enough—they need to see bold action. Best practices in strategic communication emphasize the importance of aligning meaningful action with sustained messaging.
Vague commitments like “improving health care” or “building more housing” won’t rebuild trust. The government must take clear, decisive steps—whether fast-tracking housing construction, tackling ER closures or implementing bold public safety measures—and communicate those efforts continuously. The focus should be on simple, visible wins—more “cancel road tolls” and “eliminate MSP premiums,” and less “comprehensive 16-point plans to consult and develop a strategic framework.”
Each major policy decision should be accompanied by regular updates that keep the public informed and engaged. The government must clearly communicate what it’s doing, why it matters, and when results can be expected. When people see government action unfolding and hear how these steps fit into a broader plan, they are more likely to believe that real progress is being made.
No Room for Complacency
To avoid appearing complacent or adrift, the government must maintain momentum and ensure that each initiative's impact is visible. Citizens need to see a government actively addressing problems, not one that appears mired in consultations or bogged down by bureaucracy. Success will depend on swift action, clear priorities and effective communication of the results.
A Bold Path Forward: There Is No Time to Waste
Eby’s government has a window to rebuild trust with voters who switched away from the BC NDP. The opportunity lies in recalibrating the government’s approach and acting decisively without hesitation.
Managing reputational risk demands more than promises—it requires purposeful leadership, focused priorities, and relentless action and communication. The public wants to see a government unafraid to take bold steps on health care, housing, public safety and affordability—steps that reflect the seriousness of the challenges at hand.
The task for Eby is clear: he must demonstrate that he understands the urgency of the situation by delivering meaningful change now—not months from now.
The best way to regain public confidence? Be bold, act fast, stay focused and communicate relentlessly.
Public confidence, once lost, is tough to win back.
And the best way to stop a wobble? Keep moving forward.
Jeff Ferrier is a founding partner of Framepoint Public Affairs.
