The birds are chirping, the weather is warming up and there is a distinctive fresh smell in the air - sure signs of spring and election season.
The Liberals have not dropped the election writ yet, but the campaign seems to already be in full swing.
Some interesting political bantering took place outside the legislature in Victoria on Wednesday.
B.C. Green Party leader Adriane Carr, who is running in the Powell River-Sunshine Coast riding, announced she would be releasing her party's election platform at 11 a.m.
Upon hearing this, NDP leader Carol James decided they too would release their platform at the same time in Victoria.
Carr was quick to accuse the NDP of election tricks, saying they used the same tactic in the lead-up to the 2001 election. But Carr turned the tables on James and moved her release up an hour to 10 a.m. So both parties released their platforms, and the media had a field day.
The campaign has also started here on the Sunshine Coast with the first all candidates' forum held last week in Powell River.
Liberal candidate Maureen Clayton did her best to defend her government's record, saying it was all about the economy when asked some pointed questions about Liberal spending.
Carr pledged her party's goal is to elect MLAs. She said she would be a "feisty MLA who would be there for the people."
NDP candidate Nicholas Simons chimed in with his thoughts of Liberal mismanagement and his platform for change in the province.
It appeared to be a rousing debate. We look forward to more debates of this nature in the weeks to come.
This riding appears to be a wide-open race.
Politics in the province are never boring. If this week was any indication, it's going to be a great ride to May 17.
