NDP increase seat count to 57 after final ballots tallied in B.C. election

The New Democrats will govern British Columbia with57 of 87 seats in the legislature, a decisive majority confirmed asthe final ballot count concluded Sunday.

The B.C. Liberals won 28 seats, one of which is pending ajudicial recount because the race was so close, and the Greens heldtwo.

Premier John Horgan said in a statement he was "humbled andhonoured" by the support British Columbians showed the NDP team.

"COVID-19 is presenting us with new challenges each day, and weneed to keep the focus where it belongs: keeping ourselves, ourfamilies and our communities healthy, safe and secure. We will getthrough this together," Horgan said.

"Just like we have for the last three and a half years, we'regoing to do our level best each and every day to keep B.C. movingforward and build a better future for everyone.

Elections BC began counting 660,000 mail-in and absentee ballotsthat began Friday, 13 days after the Oct. 24 provincial election.

While it was clear that the NDP had successfully turned itsminority into a majority, it was not yet known by how much.

That night, four races were too close to call, while the NewDemocrats were projected to win 53 seats, the Liberals 27 and theGreens three.

Ultimately, the New Democrats successfully pulled off wins ineach of the four tight races, pulling ahead of the Liberals in twoof them over the course of the mail-in count.

On Sunday, NDP candidate Harwinder Sandhu, a community activistand nurse, officially took the seat in Vernon-Monashee, a long-time Liberal stronghold.

Liberal incumbent candidate Eric Foster wasfirst elected there in 2009.

"I feel so blessed to be given this opportunity to representpeople. I will make sure all voices are equally heard andcongratulate the people of Vernon-Monashee for exercising their right to vote," she said in a tweet.

New Democrat Henry Yao, a community advocate and former youthworker, was confirmed the winner in Richmond South Centre Sundaywith 179 more votes than Liberal Alexa Loo.

The NDP won the other two tight races, Abbotsford-Mission andChilliwack-Kent, earlier in the count.

West Vancouver-Sea to Sky was projected to be the first Greenseat on the Lower Mainland until Liberal incumbent Jordan Sturdypulled ahead of Jeremy Valeriote by only 41 votes Saturday to clincha win.

The tight margin triggers an automatic judicial recount,Elections BC said, and it will be up to the B.C. Supreme Court toset a date.

The election makes John Horgan the first two-term NDP premier inB.C. history, following a campaign that was marked by the pandemic.

His opponents took aim at him throughout the campaign for whatthey called an "unnecessary" election during a public healthemergency when British Columbians need a steady hand most.

But voters ultimately rewarded Horgan for the gamble.

"This has been an extraordinarily difficult election for many,many reasons, but it's one that I believe had to happen," Horgansaid on election night.

"I'm grateful for all British Columbians that we have put theelection behind us and we can get back to focusing on the thingsthat matter most to you."