Final results on the 2024 BC Election are in

With 30,009 voters in the Kamloops-North Thompson, Ward Stamer from the Conservative Party won the riding and was declared MLA after the initial BC Election results were finalized on Oct. 20. With 59.74 per cent of the votes, Stamer was ahead of the New Democratic Party of BC candidate Maddi Genn by nearly 30 per cent. Tristan Cavers of the BC Green Party had just over seven per cent of the votes.

On Oct. 28, the final provincial results came through and after a close race, the NDP secured a majority government. 

“It is an incredible honour and a huge responsibility,” NDP Premier David Eby said in a media release after the party was asked to lead the province for a third time. “We are listening to the message voters sent with this close election, and will be getting to work on today’s tough challenges right away.” 

Initial projected results in the province had the NDP leading with 46 seats while the Conservatives held 45. Prior to the final vote count from Oct. 26 to Oct. 28, 11 ridings had results too close to call. Final results were announced late on Monday, Oct. 28, with the minimum 47 seats for a majority government claimed by the NDP followed closely by the Conservative Party with 44 seats and the Green Party with two.

Two ridings are subject to automatic judicial recounts following the final results, with the difference between the top two candidates being less than 1/500th of the total ballots considered. The difference between votes in Kelowna Centre was 38 and in Surrey-Guildford it was 27, both below the threshold for a recount by about 10 votes.

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Ward Stamer’s priorities

MLA elect Ward Stamer did not respond to Sun Peaks Independent News before publication, but in a Q&A with all candidates leading up to the election, he spoke to the need for B.C. to innovate to fight climate change.

“For B.C. to be able to reduce emissions, as a way to fight climate change, we have to look at electrification,” he said.

Aside from hydroelectric power, he said the province should look at solar and wind, baseload natural gas, biomass and nuclear power generation to improve on the deficit in electricity he identifies as an issue.

“It’s hypocritical to import power from other jurisdictions, where we have no control over their emissions, and then put Net-Zero restrictions on our power producers,” he added.

In regards to the toxic drug crisis and other mental health issues, Stamer said he is against free, safe drugs and decriminalization.

“We believe in a compassionate solutions-based approach that prioritizes real treatment and recovery, while ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities,” he said.

A conservative government will introduce legislation to allow for involuntary treatment, intervening to leave less people with serious mental health problems and addictions “on the streets,” he said. 

For healthcare overall, Stamer said he will work to “expand programs to incentivize doctors and nurses to work in high demand communities, especially in rural and remote areas.”

In terms of improving access to housing, in both affordability and availability, Stamer said he will advocate for “streamlining approval processes.” 

“We will be…providing tax incentives for purpose built rental housing like the Multi-Unit Residential Building, and unlocking land outside of Agricultural Land Reserve,” he added.

To support the middle class and ease pressure of mounting rents and mortgage payments, he points to the Rustad Rebate, which works to exempt up to $3,000 a month in housing costs from provincial income taxes.

An identified goal of the BC Conservatives is reducing the cost of living by eliminating things like the carbon tax.

Stamer was unable to speak to the impacts or advocacy surrounding removing the foreign buyers ban in Sun Peaks, as that is federal legislation.