According to the cards, advance polling would take place 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 18 to 21, in town at the Revelstoke Community and Aquatic Centre, "as expected as a Revelstoke community member," McCartney noted.

However, for election day itself April 28, McCartney's card indicates that voting for him and other certain Revelstoke residents of the Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies electoral district happens 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. – not in Revelstoke, but at the Trout Lake Community Hall.

Trout Lake, just east along Highway 31 after the Upper Arrow Lake Ferry crossing, is about 90 kilometres by car from Revelstoke. That's farther than driving to Sicamous.

Travelling three hours both ways to cast a ballot is no small feat, so Black Press Media called Elections Canada to inquire about this curious and distant choice of polling location for some Revelstokians.

Media relations advisor James Hale, who represents Elections Canada for B.C., chuckled on the phone that it's a "long story."

Though Hale didn't speak to Revelstoke and Trout Lake specifically, he explained how Canada's electoral map is redrawn every 10 years to reflect changes in regional population and ensure consistent voter numbers between electoral districts.

Since he started working for Elections Canada in the early 2000s, Hale has seen Canada grow from 308 to 343 federal ridings. And with the latest electoral map redistribution happening in 2022, according to Hale, the designated polling locations for communities across electoral districts has once again shifted.

"Yes, it can disadvantage some people," he reasoned, adding he's heard of polling stations being assigned to constituents 300 to 400 kilometres away, in which case returning officers can make special voting arrangements to save them a long drive.

"Sometimes that polling place is way out of their area."

Though some people "do have to go a bit further" this April 28, due to how the British Columbia Commission has redrawn the map and reassigned polling, Hale shared that Elections Canada can make subsequent adjustments to electoral districts and polling locations if enough constituents request it.

As well, he emphasized that a triad of flexible voting options remain available to best serve constituents' needs: regular polling, advance polling and special ballot.

"What I can tell people is there are these three ways to vote, and that's the way the system is set up," Hale said.

Advance polls for the 2025 federal election close in Revelstoke at 9 p.m. Monday, April 21. Residents are encouraged to check their own voter card for their assigned election day polling station, which varies by neighbourhood in Revelstoke.

The unions held a joint press conference outside Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on Monday, April 14, warning that "years of under-funding, privatization, and tax breaks for the wealthiest have left our universal public health-care system under-resourced and vulnerable."

Barb Nederpel, president of the Hospital Employees’ Union, called this election a defining moment for public health care in Canada, which she said is "fundamentally" a part of Canadian identity. 

"This didn't start with COVID. Our public health-care system has been under strain years before the pandemic and our pandemic shone a light on all the gaps…" she said. "Privatization has crept in, especially in long-term care where the worst outcomes reflect in extreme gaps in working and caring conditions." 

As a result of conditions, including burnout and on-the-job injuries, Nederpel said more health-care workers are leaving than being recruited. The federal government, she said, has an important role to play.

She drew attention to a recent national survey by the National Union of Public and General Employees, in which Health Sciences Association of B.C. union members participated. Results indicate 97 per cent of HSA health-care workers reported staffing shortages in their workplace, 86 per cent of workers felt they lacked the time and resources to perform their jobs effectively, and two in five health care professionals across the country were considering leaving public health care in the next three years.

"You cannot fix health care by cutting its funding," Nederpel said. "All that does is download the pain onto the provinces who too often turn to privatization in order to fill the gaps. That's not a solution, that's a sell-off, and when you sell off to the highest bidder, the most vulnerable are the ones who pay the price." 

In a privatized system, she warned that wages would be lower, wait times would be longer, and care would be limited to what satisfies stakeholders rather than individual needs. 

"We can protect it, or we can watch it crumble, and yet health care is not included in the only English national debate that is occurring," Nederpel said. "So we're calling on voters to ask the hard questions of our candidates, we're calling on leaders to show up with real answers and we're calling on all parties to defend public health care not just in words but in action."

Bea Bruske, Canadian Labour Congress president, stated that staff shortages are reaching "dangerous tipping points" throughout the system, with extreme wait times and seniors relying on "the size of their wallets" for long-term care home quality of care.

"This is a result of decades of under-funding, under-staffing, increased privatization and political choices," she said. "Deliberate choices put tax breaks for the wealthy ahead of accessible, publicly funded health care for the rest of us, and let us be clear, this is a choice our governments are making. This is a choice by politicians and big pharma to keep profiting while workers and their families are paying the price."

Taylor Bachrach of the NDP is seeking re-election. He is facing off against Ellis Ross of the Conservative Party of Canada, Catriona Wright of the Green Party of Canada, and Rod Taylor of the Christian Heritage Party of Canada. The Liberal Party of Canada did not provide information by press deadline about whether they are running a candidate in the riding.

Ross, the Conservative candidate, is likely to win the riding, according to a predictive model published by political website 338Canada. Their predictive model uses information from national polls, Statistics Canada (such as age and income distribution), and other factors such as a candidate's "star" power to create riding-level predictions.

Ross said he and his team are working hard to earn votes, regardless of the projection.

"We are busy knocking on doors in communities throughout the riding," he said. "We're taking nothing for granted."

Bachrach, the incumbent, said he is not concerned about 338Canada's prediction.

"I think while there are some ridings in which they get close to the actual result, there are lots of cases in which they've been way off," he said. "I don't spend any time at all wringing my hands about things like that. I'm out there talking to people, and I'm, I'm heartened by the fact that we have lots of support here in the Northwest."

Bachrach said he is proud of the work he and the NDP have done in recent years, such as national dental and PharmaCare programs, as well as, a national school lunch program. He also said he hopes to contribute to a "strong response" to the Trump administration's policies and actions regarding Canada. He said it's been an honour to be the Member of Parliament for Skeena—Bulkley Valley.

"I've just been so deeply honoured to represent the Northwest for the past five years, and I think people know that my commitment to them is that I'll
work my butt off every single day," Bachrach said.

Ross, who is Haisla and the former MLA for the Skeena riding, said his top priorities for the region are job creation and economic development.

"I will be a strong advocate for resource development and job creation not only for our riding, but our country," he said. "It was the Haisla along with other First Nations communities in the riding that advocated for LNG development and exporting. Creating good, family-supporting jobs for the region will always be top of mind for me."

Rod Taylor is the national leader of the Christian Heritage Party of Canada and a longtime Bulkley Valley resident. If elected, he will work to bring justice and morality back to government, according to the party's website.

He said he feels very fortunate to have had the life he has enjoyed in the valley.

"Across this country, many of our fellow citizens are not so fortunate. Many Canadians can’t find a family doctor. Many can’t afford to own a home. Carbon taxes have raised the cost of everything; the national debt continues to grow like a cancer and families are struggling to pay their bills," Taylor said in a statement on the party's website. “We see so many young people driven to despair; violent crime, drug addiction and homelessness have robbed a generation of the prosperity and freedom that should be theirs.

"As your MP, I promise to bring respect for life, family and freedom back to Canada."

Wright and the Green Party are committed to affordable housing, climate action and a green economy, fair taxation, indigenous reconciliation, and expanded healthcare, among other priorities, according to the party's website.

"Our focus in government will be very consistent with the message that British Columbians sent us back to the legislature," Eby said Wednesday (Nov. 13). "They want us to be focused on the basics. So you will see a cabinet that is very focused on those issues and delivering for British Columbians on those priorities."

This can mean  other issues, such as climate change, rank further down the priority list.

"There's no question about challenging decisions about prioritization," Eby said. "There always are in government — that's what governing is all about." 

Eby made these comments while speaking to media following the swearing-in ceremony of New Democratic MLAs. He also used the occasion to update the media on discussions with the B.C. Greens and the search for a Speaker.

"We have had some good conversations and I'm hopeful that we will be able to find a path forward," he said. "The goal that we have is to ensure that the work that British Columbians sent us to do can be done in a stable parliament that is going to run for the four years that people sent us here. I don't think people are in the mood for another election."

Eby said his party — which has a bare one-seat majority of 47 in the 93-seat legislature — is prepared to put up its own Speaker without mentioning a name. 

Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony for New Democrats followed Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony of the two MLAs elected as Green and the 44 MLAs elected as Conservatives. These ceremonies precede Monday's swearing-in of Eby's new cabinet. 

That cabinet will start governing against the backdrop of uncertainty on the international and national level with parts of the federal opposition openly calling for a federal election before next year's fixed election date in October. 

Eby used Wednesday to repeat earlier demands that B.C. have a greater role in immigration amidst concerns Ottawa's recent decision to curb immigration will hurt parts of the provincial economy, namely hospitality and agriculture.

"We know what's needed in British Columbia," Eby said. "We know the skilled professions we need."

Ultimately, B.C. would be able to do a better job of attracting needed professionals while protecting immigrants from exploitation, with powers more like Quebec's, Eby said. 

"Let's us run our immigration program and we will ensure that it delivers the kind of results that British Columbians are looking for," he said. 

This and other federal issues such as infrastructure funding, criminal law and policing require a spirit of cooperation and political capital something that may shift with a change of government in Ottawa. 

"Regardless of who's in power in Ottawa, I know that our team will be working every day to deliver for British Columbia," Eby said. "It's my message that I delivered to the Prime Minister when I sat down with him. We need support in these areas…(the) sincere hope that I have is that federal government in Ottawa finally sees the importance of prioritizing British Columbia the same way they prioritize Quebec, the same way they prioritize Ontario and I really hope that is the case."

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Kevin Loo officially declared the recount over around 1 p.m. Friday (Nov. 8).

"The difference between the two leading candidates at the conclusion of this judicial recount is 22 votes, accordingly, the voters of the Surrey-Guildford electoral district have elected Garry Begg to represent them as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia," Loo said. 

The recount ended with 8, 947 votes for Begg, to 8,925 for Conservative challenger Honveer Singh Randhawa. After Elections BC finished its final count of election results on Oct. 28, Begg held a 27-vote lead. That was later shaved to just 21 votes after the discovery of 28 initially unreported ballots.

In the final tally, independent candidate Kabir Qurban received 370 votes and B.C. Green Party candidate Manjeet Singh Sahota received 824 votes. 

"I will issue a certificate of the results of this election to the district Electoral Officer after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, unless there is an appeal," Loo said.

Counsel for both candidates were on hand at the recount and have agreed with the results.

"I am satisfied that the results were both accurately and efficiently determined and that the process was thorough, carefully carried out and transparent," Loo said. 

He also commended counsel for both parties for "resolving most of the disputes about ballots without the court's involvement." 

The win officially secures a majority government for David Eby and the B.C. NDP, with 47 seats in the 93-seat legislature.

The recount — which had been ordered because the margin of victory was less than 1/500th of the total votes cast — began with counting the unreported ballots and worked its way through all 19,090 ballots, including more than 1,600 votes that were cast outside of the riding.

In the end, 19,066 ballots were valid and 24 were rejected. 

The recount began on Thursday (Nov. 8) with examining the 28 ballots that had yet to be reported because of what Elections BC had called a data-entry mistake. All 28 were valid, with eight votes for Begg, one for Qurban, 14 for Randhawa and five for Sahota. 

The recount was held in a warehouse in Newton, where it continued all day Thursday (Nov. 7) and restarted at 9 a.m. Friday. 

The high-ceilinged warehouse was divided into two parts by makeshift walls, which separated the makeshift courtroom from people counting ballots. 

The teams of counters were paired with scrutineers from the New Democrats and the B.C. Conservatives and could be seen holding ballots in the air and agreeing on each vote.

Jill Lawrance, executive director of electoral operations at Elections BC said Thursday (Nov. 8) teams "make their best assessment of the intent of the voter."

"If scrutineers raise an objection, both parties come to the table and if they agree on the vote, the judge has indicated he doesn't need to see it," Lawrance explained Thursday. "But if there's a disagreement about who that vote should count for, that ballot will be brought to the judge, he will look at the ballot, hear arguments from both sides and determine who the vote should count for."

The judicial recount in Kelowna Centre and partial recount in Prince George-Mackenzie also finished on Friday (Nov. 8).

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Alison J. Beames declared Kristina Loewen of the Conservative Party elected for Kelowna Centre with 11,033 valid votes. B.C. NDP candidate Loyal Wooldridge received 10,993 votes, independent candidate Michael Humer received 2,613, and B.C. Green Party candidate Bryce Tippe received 1,111. 

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Ronald S. Tindale declared Kiel Giddens of the Conservative Party elected for Prince George-Mackenzie with 11,310 valid votes. B.C. NDP candidate Shar McCrory received 5,242 votes, B.C. Green Party candidate James Steidle received 1,577 and Independent candidate Rachael Weber received 435. 

-With files from the Canadian Press 

Election officials, scrutineers for the B.C. NDP and B.C. Conservative Party, and B.C. Supreme Court Justice Kevin Loo gathered Thursday for the first day of the two-day recount. Counting is expected to continue until 5 p.m. tonight (Thursday, Nov. 7) and continue again Friday.

Currently, NDP incumbent Garry Begg stands as the riding's MLA-elect, having defeated Conservative candidate by 27 votes after Elections BC's final count wound up on Monday, Oct. 28. Conservative challenger Honveer Singh Randhawa originally led on Election Night, with a 102-vote lead over Begg, but that changed following the count of mail-in and absentee ballots.

Begg's lead then narrowed to 21 following the discovery of 28 out-of-district votes that had originally gone uncounted, discovered during a provincewide review.

The outcome of the recount could prove to be pivotal for the B.C. NDP, since Begg's victory — if confirmed — gives the party the 47 seats it needs for a bare majority in the legislature.

Jill Lawrance, executive director of electoral operations at Elections BC, told reporters that officials would be counting 19,090 ballots in the judicial recount, which includes more than 1,600 votes that were cast outside of the riding.

A makeshift courtroom was constructed using wooden desks and grey room dividers where Loo called the session into order on Thursday, before addressing workers and getting the hand-count started.

The teams of counters, who lined tables along the perimeter of the warehouse, were paired with scrutineers from the New Democrats and the B.C. Conservatives and could be seen holding ballots in the air and agreeing on each vote.

Lawrance said teams "make their best assessment of the intent of the voter."

"If scrutineers raise an objection, both parties come to the table and if they agree on the vote, the judge has indicated he doesn't need to see it," Lawrance explained Thursday. "But if there's a disagreement about who that vote should count for, that ballot will be brought to the judge, he will look at the ballot, hear arguments from both sides and determine who the vote should count for."

The recount began with examining the 28 ballots that had yet to be reported because of what Elections BC had called a data-entry mistake.

About an hour after the count began, the judge was informed by officials that there were two contested ballots.

Loo called the court to order and heard statements from counsel for the NDP and B.C. Conservatives, eventually rejecting both ballots.

A full recount is also taking place in Kelowna Central, which was narrowly claimed by the B.C. Conservatives, while a partial recount will take place in Prince George-Mackenzie to tally votes from an uncounted ballot box that was found to contain about 861 votes.

In Kelowna Centre, final counts showed a 38-vote difference between B.C. Conservative candidate Kristina Loewen, who secured 11,031 votes, and B.C. NDP candidate Loyal Wooldridge with 10,993.  On Oct. 30, Elections BC identified three out-of district ballots that had not been counted in Kelowna-Centre, bringing the margin to 40 votes.

The Prince George-Mackenzie recount cannot change the outcome, with the B.C. Conservatives ahead by more than 5,000 votes.

Premier David Eby said in a statement Wednesday that the judicial recounts will ensure every vote is counted. After those recounts, he said B.C. residents want to see "urgent action" on priorities including affordability and housing, health care, and building a strong economy.

– with files from Wolf Depner, Tom Zytaruk, Jacqueline Gelineau and the Canadian Press

Fiona Famulak, president and chief executive officer, cited these specific proposals, when speaking to Black Press Media about a letter that her organization and other business associations addressed to the leader of three parties represented in the provincial legislature following completion of the final vote count by Elections BC.

The letter itself raises concerns about the state of the provincial economy and urges leaders to prioritize steps to improve it.

"Without a strong economy, "affordability will remain unachievable for British Columbians," it reads. "Overall, B.C.’s fiscal and economic trajectory is deeply concerning. As you shape the next government and plan your work in the upcoming legislative sessions, we urge you to give serious consideration to the state of B.C.’s economy."

Famulak did not attach specific figures to her pitch for tax cuts.

"But I can tell you the types of taxes that could be cut," she said. "That would be corporate taxes and also the income taxes that…employees pay. That would be helpful, but certainly corporate taxes."

Famulak also called for the raising of the threshold for paying the Employers' Health Tax. While Famulak acknowledged that the provincial government had raised the EHT threshold by $500,000 to $1 million in this year's budget, government should raise it by at least another $500,000. That would allow businesses to re-direct money toward innovation and the hiring of staff, she added.

When asked about ways to make up the foregone revenues from any future tax cuts given the size of the provincial budget deficit of around $9 billion, Famulak linked it to the second proposal — sped-up permitting. 

"Let's unleash the natural resource sector in all its forms, whether it's natural gas, whether it's mining extraction, whether it's forestry, whether it's agriculture and agri-food. We have a plethora of natural resources that the world needs. Let's expedite the permitting that holds up certain operations, so that they are able to operate, so that they are able to create good paying jobs, engage the supply chain, address some of the affordability issues."

While the B.C. NDP has enough seats for a bare majority pending judicial recounts, it is also exploring avenues of support from other parties in the legislature, including the B.C. Greens. Their platform, however, platform opposes the expansion of natural gas and other fossil fuel projects while calling for greater oversight of the mining sector and reforms to bring it in line with "current environmental, social and Indigenous rights concerns" among other related measures. The party is also calling for a different approach on forestry.

More broadly, B.C. Greens are proposing a transition toward a knowledge-based economy based on alternative energies in questioning B.C.'s historical reliance on natural resources. The party's platform calls this view "outdated" in noting that service industries now account for over three-quarters of the province’s economic activity, with less than two percent of jobs tied to oil and gas extraction, mining and related activities.

In other words, the B.C. NDP might not find much support from the B.C. Greens for an agenda around natural resources as proposed by the chamber. 

So which of the chamber's two calls for action — tax cuts, sped-up permitting — are more likely to happen?

"I'm not going to get into the politics of it until we know how the government, how the legislature is going to function, which don't at this point," Famulak said. "There (are) still lots of conversations to be had there. But it would say it's not either-or, it's both." 

Given the state of the provincial economy, nothing can be left off the table, she added. 

Speaking Tuesday, Premier David Eby said affordability is a key issue for his government in re-affirming an earlier promise to eliminate the consumer portion of the carbon tax if Ottawa eliminates the legal requirement for it. The B.C. NDP also campaigned on a $1,000 income tax cut for the average family every year, starting next year, first as a rebate, then as a permanent cut. 

"I'm not going to comment on the value, but I will comment on the nature of that break," Famulak said. "They (British Columbians) are looking for long-term strategies, because they are not concerned only about themselves. They are concerned about the younger generations to follow."

Government, she added, must put the "economy front and centre and create an environment where businesses grow." 

While macroeconomic issues played a secondary role in the provincial election campaign, Famulak's appeal for action is the second in as many weeks, the first coming last week when the initial vote count showed neither the B.C. NDP nor the Conservative Party of B.C. with a clear majority. 

Conservatives had campaigned on an expansion of the natural resource sector and earned an open endorsement from Independent Contractors and Businesses Association. Its president Chris Gardner said at the time his organization would be "deeply concerned" about a B.C. NDP government supported by the Greens. 

As she did last week, Famulak stresesd the non-partisan nature of her organization.

"So we are not going to take sides," she said. "What I will say is we're excited to work with the government, as well as engage the other parties…because we all have a role to play in reversing the trajectory that we are on. So it's helpful that there is a majority because the majority provides clarity and certainty for business." 

But their respective mayors express comparable expectations for the incoming provincial governments, while also expressing local concerns. 

Merritt Mayor Michael Goetz said the first expectation concerns healthcare in pointing to the emergency room closures that "continually plague" his community's hospital.

"19 times last year, so far 15 times this year," Goetz said, adding that more closures could happen before the end of the year given the availability of staff.  

Health care is also a key concern for Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog, who pointed to the need of a new patient tower as well as a cardiac catheterization lab at the city's hospital, which also serves as a hub for the north and central Island. Both the B.C. NDP and the Conservative Party of B.C. promised a new patient tower, with Conservatives also promising a cardiac catheterization lab. Neither attached specific costs and timelines.

Both Goetz and Krog also pointed to the issue of public safety.  Krog said Nanaimo said expects a more "aggressive approach" to dealing with the related issues of street disorder and petty crime and mental health. 

Nanaimo residents helped launched Save Our Streets Coalition, a province-wide organization that brings together organizations and businesses concerned about public safety. Krog said in March 2023 that his community was facing a public safety crisis resulting from the failed policies of senior government that is beyond the city’s capacity to control or repair.

"When government is no longer able to protect people and their property, we are in a dangerous place," he said at the time.

Comments from Krog — elected four times to the legislature as a New Democrat — coupled with pressure from  municipal leaders like Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West, who also has a long history with the NDP, eventually contributed to B.C. reversing aspects of decriminalization in the spring of 2024. 

The provincial government has since announced plans for the involuntary care of individuals dealing with mental health issues.

Goetz echoed Krog's concerns about health care and public safety, but expanded his priority list ot include the state of the forestry industry. He wants permitting accelerated for forestry and mining as part of an economic growth agenda. Krog, meanwhile, appealed to the provincial government to help with infrastructure to address Nanaimo's growth.

Each sees the closeness of the election outcome in their favour. 

"If you look at the map of how blue B.C. is other than the coastal area, it goes to show you that the people that are actually making the money in the province want something done to help them," Goetz said. "It's time to wake up and do your job and make this province better and that is where we can hope that the Conservatives will keep their feet to the fire."

Ultimately, Goetz said he hopes to see a "different" government.

"A little bit more cooperative, one that is a little bit more open to suggestion and looking for change for the better as we we move ahead because the status quo hasn't worked." 

Krog added that "there is no question" that municipal governments across the province "felt ignored" before the election. He echoed Goetz's hope for a more cooperative government. 

Like Goetz, Krog also pointed to the changed political geography on Vancouver Island with Conservatives increasingly competitive.

"I suspect we will have more interest (from Victoria) than in the past," Krog said. "To put it crassly, municipalities can be bought and we look forward to being bought." 

A statement issued by Premier David Eby Wednesday (Nov. 6) announced that the yet-to-be-named cabinet members will take their oath of office on Nov. 18 at Government House, the official residence of B.C.'s Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin.

The announcement comes as officials with Elections BC prepare for full judicial recounts Nov. 7 and 8 in Surrey-Guildford and Kelowna-Centre and a partial judicial recount in Prince George-Mackenzie Nov. 12. Surrey-Guildford and Kelowna-Centre are heading for full automatic judicial recounts because the difference between the top two candidates is less than 1/500th of the total ballots considered. Prince George-Mackenzie is heading for a partial judicial recount following the discovery of a ballot box with 861 votes. 

"Judicial recounts will ensure every vote is counted," Eby said. "Following those counts, British Columbians want to see urgent action taken on their priorities, including affordability and housing, strengthening health care and building strong communities within a vibrant economy. The first step is swearing in a new cabinet for British Columbia."

The final vote count released on Oct. 28 shows the B.C. NDP with 47 seats, enough for a bare majority in the 93-seat legislature. The Conservative Party of B.C under John Rustad has 44 seats, while the B.C. Greens have two seats. 

The formation of the incoming cabinet takes place during a transition period that spans from the results of the election until the swearing in of a new cabinet. Doug White, the premier's special counsel on Indigenous reconciliation and Shannon Salter, the premier's deputy minister and head of the public service, are co-chairing the transition team. 

The statement also announced dates for the swearing-in of MLAs. MLAs for the Conservative Party of B.C. and the B.C. Greens will take their oath of office on Nov. 12, with the B.C. NDP MLAs taking their respective oaths on Nov. 13. 

The statement notes that swearing-in dates reflect the dates of judicial recounts and reporting information from Elections BC.

FOR MORE: Fresh faces being pondered as Premier Eby draws up B.C.’s new cabinet

B.C.'s chief electoral officer Anton Boegman acknowledged "challenges" in the reporting of votes cast out of district following the discovery of 28 uncounted votes in the key riding of Surrey-Guildford as well as 861 votes in Prince George-Mackenzie, but also argued that the public's knowledge of this fact speaks to the integrity and transparency of the provincial election process.

"What we have determined now and and what we have discovered and what we are transparently providing to British Columbians is a strong point of the processes that we have in B.C., the checks and balances that we have in B.C. to make sure that all ballots that are cast are counted and reported appropriately," Boegman said. 

He also added that he has confidence in the work of election officials as well as "confidence that we have found any anomalies that have been there and that we are going to enable these votes to be counted and reported." 

Boegman made these comments after his office Monday told the public that 28 out-of-district votes cast for candidates in Surrey-Guildford went uncounted following their discovery as part of a province-wide review. The additional ballots changed the margin separating New Democrat Garry Begg from Conservative Honveer Singh Randhawa to 21 in favour of Begg.

While Randhawa was leading in the riding after the initial count following the vote of Oct. 19, the riding flipped to Begg after the counting of all outstanding votes in giving the B.C. NDP a bare majority of 47 seats. 

The riding is subject to a judicial recount Nov. 7/8, along with the riding of as well as Kelowna-Centre. That riding also saw change, with the margin separating Conservative Kristina Loewen from New Democrat Loyal Wooldridge increasing to 40 from 38. 

The riding of Prince George-Mackenzie is also heading for a partial judicial recount after the discovery of an advanced ballot box with 861 votes with all but seven cast for candidates in that riding won by Conservative Kiel Giddens by 5,742 votes. 

The unreported votes represent less than 0.08 per cent of all results reported, according to Elections BC.

Boegman said officials discovered the unreported ballots during preparations for the judicial recounts in Surrey-Guildford and Kelowna-Centre with the discovery happening in two stages. The first phase revealed 14 votes. This discovery triggered a broader review, which found five electoral districts had failed to report out-of-district votes for 69 districts.

"It was in this review that we found a further 14 (votes) to make a total of 28 unreported ballots in Surrey-Guildford," Boegman said, adding that this review changed results, but not any outcomes or even requirements for a judicial recount in those ridings.

This broader review took place between Oct. 29 and Nov. 3, but Elections BC did not notify the public that it was conducting this review because of a court order related to the two judicial recounts, which lifted on Nov. 4.

"We subsequently provided that information as soon as we could," Boegman said. 

As for the unreported votes in Prince George-Mackenzie, Boegman said they stemmed from an advanced voting station. "The ballot box was in the custody of the district electoral officer," he said. "It was sealed and it was in secured custody at all times." 

Boegman said local election officials should have included ballots from that box in their tabulation following an issue with the tabulator machine.

"When the election officials were re-tabulating the ballot box, they only included the ballots from the second day of advanced voting, from the day that the issue had occurred," he said.  "They should have also included the ballots that were in the sealed box in the district office (from the prior day of advanced voting), but they did not and that was an error of that team in the district. "

Local officials then compounded their error when completing the ballot reconciliation portion of the process.

"That's where they would assess the number of voters voting through the strike-off data against the number of ballots cast," he said. 

Ultimately, Boegman blamed human error for the mistakes.

"Our elections rely on the work of over 17,000 election officials from communities across the province," he said. "Election officials were working 14 hours or more on voting days and on final voting day in particular faced extremely challenging weather conditions in many parts of the province," he said. "These conditions likely contributed to these mistakes." 

Boegman said his office has already launched and will continue to fully investigate "all aspects" that contributed to the errors. This assessment will be part of the report about the 2024 election that Elections BC will submit to the provincial legislature as per its mandate. That report would also include any recommendations for improvements, he added. 

Conservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad Tuesday had issued a statement in which he reiterated his acceptance of the outcome, but also called for an independent review of the errors.

Boegman declined to directly comment on Rustad's appeal, but added that his office would "of course fully participate" in such a process if the provincial legislature were to launch an independent review. 

Premier David Eby Tuesday afternoon also issued a statement in which he proposed the creation of an all-party committee that would examine systems and steps taken by Elections BC, hear from experts and recommend improvements for future elections.

"British Columbians need to be assured that strong safeguards are in place to catch these issues and ensure every vote is counted accurately," Eby said. "I remain confident in the outcome of the election. At the same time, it’s clear we need to review the processes, technologies and systems used to tally votes accurately and support public confidence.

"I look forward to working with all MLAs to uphold our shared commitment to free and fair elections, the foundation of our democracy."