For Opposition Leader Carole James, holding an election kickoff rally in Burnaby was an easy choice.

“The fact that [Premier Gordon Campbell] came into this community without consultation, said we’re going to put a prison here and refused to listen to the people of Burnaby is an example, an example of this government’s arrogance,” she said.

James delivered the first of many blistering speeches, at Byrne Creek Secondary School. Over the course of a 28-day campaign, she is expected to continue slamming the incumbent Premier.

“Gordon Campbell can campaign in a bubble as far away as he can from average people but we’re going to make sure he can’t walk away from the fundamental issues that matter.”

James harped on Campbell’s record of job losses, child poverty, spending on care for seniors, resources for secondary students and a raging gang war as indicators that communities across British Columbia are in dire straits.

“What I’m banking on is that people are looking to say, who can they trust to look after them, their family, their community during these difficult times and take a look at Gordon Campbell’s record in the past eight years,” James said.

Dharm Makwana reports for Vancouver's 24 hours.