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When two of this generation's most influential B.C. legislators announce that they're not seeking reelection within a week, it's a sure sign that the political sands are shifting.

Rich Coleman, a former B.C. Liberal deputy premier and ex–interim party leader, was the first to reveal his plans.

That was followed yesterday by Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Carole James, who's been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

These developments coincide with B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson embarking on a mission to rebrand his party by trying to nominate younger and more diverse candidates.

The departure of Coleman and the former speaker, veteran Richmond South Centre MLA Linda Reid, is part of the rebuilding effort.

It's one reason why TV news viewers constantly see first-term MLA Jas Johal speaking for the party, rather than the warhorses who were in former premier Christy Clark's cabinet.

It only makes sense for Premier John Horgan to want to get a provincewide campaign underway before Wilkinson has time to clear out more of the oldtimers associated with the last B.C. Liberal regime.

In addition, the NDP isn't going to want to give the odd-on favourite to become the new B.C. Green leader, Sonia Furstenau, much time to become better known to British Columbians.

But there's another reason why the NDP might be tempted to go to the polls early: COVID-19.

The novel coronavirus has the potential to wreak economic havoc, which is never good for sitting governments.

The longer Horgan waits for an election call, the more parents will be inconvenienced by school closures. And more small businesses will be shuttered by their patrons staying at home.

In the meantime, Horgan's health minister, Adrian Dix, gets to appear on TV on most nights like a crisis manager alongside the provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry.

In reality, Henry could be holding these media briefings by herself. There's nothing political about preparing the public for a possible pandemic.

But as the Breaker's Bob Mackin has pointed out, it's inherently political to run ads about the government's achievements in delivering childcare—after not fulfilling a promise to bring in a $10-a-day program—rather than spending public money educating the public about the coronavirus.

Dix has already announced plans to do a massive renovation of Burnaby Hospital and build a new hospital in Surrey. Those are two cities where the B.C. Liberals will need to make some gains if they're going to have any hope of returning to power after the next election.

So what could be the excuse for calling an election this year rather than the scheduled date of October 16, 2021?

How about the resignation of the man who played such an instrumental role in Horgan becoming premier?

That, of course, is former B.C. Green leader Andrew Weaver, who's not seeking reelection.

He has already quit the B.C. Green caucus due to a family health issue and is sitting as an independent.

Weaver has a well-known bromance with Horgan. Both are former rugby players from the Victoria area—and Horgan's charm offensive after the 2017 election seems to have kept Weaver onside.

This is notwithstanding the NDP government's support for the Site C dam, more fracking of natural gas, and a $40-billion LNG infrastructure project. Weaver has spoken against all of these initiatives.

If the NDP is able to marginalize the B.C. Greens, it will seem like a two-man race between Premier John Horgan and B.C. Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson.

If Weaver were to understandably bow out from provincial politics after the current session of the legislature in May, that would provide the ideal opportunity for Horgan to call a provincial election.

That's because the standings in the legislature would be 41 New Democrats, 42 B.C. Liberals, and two B.C. Greens.

If Weaver retires, Horgan could plausibly say that his "stable minority government" is no longer so secure—and there, the time has come to seek a new mandate from the people.

The only other MLA is Speaker Darryl Plecas, who is loathed by his former party, the B.C. Liberals, but admired by those who appreciate his efforts to prevent wasteful spending at the legislature.

The NDP reelection campaign could then revolve around its promise to cut ICBC rates by 20 percent through a "care-based system".

And that, along with new hospitals in Burnaby and Surrey, might help attract enough voters in swing constituencies forget about the $10.7-billion Site C dam, the approval of a pipeline without the consent of Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs, and the failure to bring in $10-a-day childcare.