BC NDP leader David Eby unveiled a big-time, middle-class tax cut Sunday, to try and staunch the momentum of the rival BC Conservatives, as the election rolls into the second of four weeks.

Both the announcement, and the 1,600-person rally in Surrey where it was unveiled, were intended as shows of strength by New Democrats, who are facing a strong challenge from the Conservatives.

They also give voters a clear choice between the tax relief promised by the “Rustad Rebate” versus the new “Eby-bate.” One is an annual tax write-off that reaches a vast swath of people, the other is a more targeted cut to income taxes on pay cheques.

“We’ve been working on a way to address the concerns people have about the cost of food and the global inflation that’s been hitting them here in British Columbia, and this is a way we can respond to that reality,” Eby said in an interview.

The BC Conservatives scoffed at the announcement.

“David Eby has been in government for seven years,” the party said in a statement.

“Over the........

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