The recounts are complete and the results of May 9 stand. The numbers in the legislature are 43 seats for the BC Liberals, 41 for the NDP and three for the Green Party.
The results were certified by Elections BC on Wednesday afternoon after completing two official recounts and counting all the absentee ballots. The big question was if the NDP would hold onto its slim nine vote lead in the riding of Courtenay-Comox. In the end, the final count saw the NDP increase their lead in the riding, ensuring the seat count stayed the same.
Almost immediately after, Premier Christy Clark issued a statement saying she intended to form a minority government, while NDP John Horgan said he will seek to form a new government. It is not known which of the two the Green Paty will support. It will be up to Lieutenant-Governor Judith Guichon to decide which party she will ask to form the next government.
It is likely Clark will start off by leading a fragile minority, but how long it lasts is the big question.
Newly elected MLA for Columbia River Revelstoke, Doug Clovechok (BC Liberal), says he prefers to look at the coming minority as an opportunity.
The Kimberley Bulletin caught up with Clovechok on Thursday just as he was about to depart to Vancouver for a caucus meeting.
“I’m disappointed for our candidate in Courtenay-Comox,” Clovechok said. “He worked really hard and it’s always disappointing when you don’t get across the line.”
However, Clovechok says that while he remains a little unsure how it is all going to work, a message has been sent to one and all.
“It clearly reinforces that British Columbians want us to work together. I said through my whole campaign that if elected, I am the MLA for all of Columbia River Revelstoke,” he said. “We can work across idealogical lines. British Columbians want us to work across party lines.”
And Clovechok says that protecting the economy and jobs is always going to be a priority.
“We are number one in Canada. We’ve got the strongest economy. We are a beacon of light. But I think we heard — at least I did knocking on doors — that it’s not just about jobs and the economy.”
Still Clovechok says that the minority is historic and an opportunity.
“Politics have gotten ugly in recent years. This is an opportunity for people to sit down and work like neighbours for the benefit of the people of British Columbia,” he said. “I’m excited. And I am going to work hard for the people of Columbia River Revelstoke.”