B.C. NDP gears up for May election

The B.C. NDP is gearing up for the next provincial election, scheduled to take place in May.

Party leader Adrian Dix arrived at the NDP provincial council meeting in Richmond Saturday to a standing ovation.

Dix looked comfortable, joking with the audience about having to come clean about dark secrets like the fact that he sways when he talks or sweats when its hot.

But Dix became serious as he looked forward to the provincial election, calling for support for his vision for the province's future.

"This is a transformative moment for us; this is an opportunity for us."

Just one day earlier, B.C. Premier Christy Clark made a similar call.

"This truly is, as I said last year, British Columbia's moment," she said while speaking at theUnion of B.C. Municipalities conventionon Friday.

"This is a unique moment in time where British Columbia has exactly what Canada and the rest of the world needs to build."

Clarkmade a series of announcements at the meeting, including adeal with the B.C. Government and ServiceEmployees' Union, aplan to replace the aging GeorgeMassey Tunnel, widening the Trans-Canada Highway between Kamloops and the Alberta border and$200 million in other infrastructure projects.

The premier said those announcements were not a bundle of pre-election promises, butsimply good governance.

Butboth parties know election day is fast approaching, and Dix warned his party the Liberals don't like to lose.

"They are going to spend more than we are, they are going to run hard and negative," he said.

"For us to take the hard road to victory, the hard road that says we're going to be positive and get a mandate for change will require more of all of us."

Dix isleading in the polls to become B.C.s next premier, but he says the provinces elections are always close and a lot can happen in seven months.