NDP To Form British Columbia Government After Tight Election Victory

The final count is over, and the BC NDP will form a majority government.

After three days of counts and recounts, the NDP was left with 47 seats - just enough for a majority government. The Conservatives were elected in 44 ridings and the Green Party in two.

In a statement, David Eby noted that a majority of BC voters ”have elected a legislature that shares common values – like addressing affordability, tackling climate change, making sure health care is there when you need it, and building an inclusive province with safe communities where everyone belongs”

The race was close in Courtenay-Comox. Ronna Rae Leonard lost her seat to the Conservatives Brennan Day by less than a hundred votes. While congratulating Day on his win, Leonard thanked her campaign team, “who worked tirelessly every day of the election,” she said.

Leonard said on X that it has been the honour of her life to serve for the past seven years.

“This wasn't the result I or my team had hoped for, but I am proud of the campaign that we ran, and of the work that we did in government. I wish everyone at the Legislature - newly elected or re-elected - the best of luck in the upcoming session.”

Voting results for each electoral district by party and candidate are available on the Elections BC website.

The results in the Kelowna Centre and Surrey-Guildford electoral districts are subject to automatic judicial recounts, as the difference between the top two candidates after final count is less than 1/500th of the total ballots considered.

The Election Act states that an application for a judicial recount must be made within six days of the conclusion of the final count.

The deadline for judicial recount applications is November 4.

A judicial recount is conducted by the Supreme Court of British Columbia and may include some or all of the ballots and certification envelopes for an election. The timing of the recount will be determined by the Court.

A record 2,107,152 voters participated in the 2024 provincial election. Preliminary voter turnout is estimated at 58.3%.

Conservative Leader John Sustad said in a statement that while there are still judicial recounts to be completed, it's now clear that his party will not win enough seats to form government.

“I am ready to begin the important work of leading BC’s Official Opposition. BC’s Conservative Caucus is committed to holding government accountable and advocating for policies that reflect the best interests of all British Columbians. Together, we will work tirelessly to ensure that your voices are heard and that we build a stronger future for all of BC.”