B.C. Liberal convention underway in Vancouver

The B.C. Liberal convention takes place this weekend a chance to showcase new candidates for the upcoming election this May.

"If we ever want to bea reallyjustsociety, our institutions need to reflect21stcentury Canada," said Jas Johal, a candidate forRichmond-Queensborough.

Johal, a long-time broadcast journalist, is part of a new crop of politicians preparing for the 2017 election.

So far, the B.C. Liberals have nominated 60 out of 87 candidates. The B.C. NDP have only 16 potential MLAs in place.

"It's insignificant," said B.C. NDP leader John Horgan. "I think the beauty of a fixed election date is people don't need to disrupt their lives years before."

Presentersat the convention on Saturday included JimMessina, Obama's2012 campaign manager and former White House deputy chief of staff, and former vice-president of media at Twitter,KirstineStewart.

So far, some of the resolutions passed include support for legalizing ride-hailing, also known as ride-sharing,in the province and improving access to youth mental health services.

With files from Richard Zussman