BC election results: Race too close to call as 2017 looms large

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Uncertainty looms in BC as voters delivered a split decision Saturday and slim margins in three constituencies where recounts will likely determine whether the NDP or the Conservatives form the next government.

There is also the possibility that the balance of power rests with two newly elected Green MPs.

The scenario has echoes of the historic 2017 election, when the BC Liberals under Christy Clark won two more seats than the NDP, but the Greens wrested government from them.

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By late Saturday night, the NDP had been elected or led in 46 constituencies, the Conservatives had 45 and the Greens had elected two MPs even as their leader, Sonia Furstenau, fell to defeat in Victoria – Beacon Hill.

With 93 seats in the BC legislature, 47 seats are required for a majority government.

None of the record 40 independents were elected, but some could serve as spoilers in constituencies like Vernon-Lumby, where the NDP was narrowly trailing and independent Kevin Acton had more than 15 percent of the vote.

Results could change in the coming days as the Juan de Fuca-Malahat, Surrey City Center and Surrey-Guildford circuits are too close to call and possibly subject to automatic recounts. The margin between NDP and Conservative candidates in these constituencies is less than one percentage point.

NDP Leader David Eby acknowledged that the Conservatives had spoken to some of the frustrations of British Columbians regarding public safety and affordability.

However, he believes voters delivered a majority for progressive values ​​and committed to working with the Greens, despite his party calling a snap election in 2020 to exit that deal.

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“We need to support people with the cost of everyday living. We need to make life more affordable for British Columbians and we need to make communities safe for everyone,” he said. “And we will do these things.”

Rustad, meanwhile, has vowed to keep up the fight, saying the election has forever changed the political landscape in BC and believes the recounts could fail.

If not, he said he will make it as difficult as possible for the NDP to carry out their agenda and oust them at the first opportunity.

“We will continue this fight for the next few days, for the next few weeks, for the next few months,” he told supporters.

“We’re going to fight every day to make sure we do everything we can to make life better for the people of this province.”

For his part, Furstenau expressed disappointment in his defeat but also optimism that his colleagues Jeremy Valeriote of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky and Rob Botterell of Saanich North and the Islands could play a pivotal role in the legislature .

“This is a passing of the torch, and I will be there to guide, guide and lead in any way I can,” he said, recalling his own role in the 2017 negotiations that saw the Greens partner with the NDP because I couldn’t stand working with the BC Liberals.

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At the end of the day, voters are still wondering who will be responsible for addressing their concerns about affordability, health care and public safety at the end of an election season characterized more by negative campaigning than political compromises .

Now it’s up to Lt. Gov. Janet Austin to decide who to ask for the first chance to form government.

By convention, it is expected to give Eby and the NDP the first chance, but they will have to win a seat through recounts or win the support of the Greens to do so.

Voters heading to the polls in Metro Vancouver and on Vancouver Island battled an atmospheric river Saturday that flooded homes and swept away cars.

Elections BC said inclement weather reduced turnout in some constituencies, but overall about 57 percent of British Columbians turned out to vote. About one million of those ballots, representing about 28 percent of registered voters, were cast in early polls.

Read more of our BC election coverage in these municipalities:

• Vancouver
• Surrey
• Burnaby
• Richmond and Delta
• Langley
• Vancouver North and Vancouver West
• Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and New Westminster
• Maple Ridge and Port Moody
• Abbotsford and Chilliwack
• Okanagan and surrounding BC
• Vancouver Island

RACE FOR BC: Follow our coverage of the 2024 BC election campaign HERE. Not a subscriber yet? Click HERE for a special membership offer.

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