Nine days after election day, British Columbians know the final result of the 2024 provincial election.
The BC NDP is expected to form a majority government, securing the most votes in 47 ridings across the province.
In a statement late Monday afternoon, Eby said he had met with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, who asked him to form the next government.
“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,” Eby said.
“British Columbians have asked us to work together and make life better for them. That is exactly what we intend to do. A majority of B.C. voters have elected a legislature that shares common values.”
The win leaves the NDP with a razor-thin majority, which could cause a variety of headaches down the road the first of which is likely to be appointing a speaker. Choosing an NDP MLA to serve in the role would leave the party a vote short in the legislature.
BC Green Leader Sonia Furstenau appeared to hint at that problem in her own statement Monday evening.
“Pending a judicial recount, it appears as though MLAs from different parties will have to work together for the Legislature to function effectively,” said Furstenau.
The majority win comes after the final count of mail-in and absentee ballots revealed the NDP won the most votes in the riding of Surrey-Guildford, flipping the result from election night.
As of 5 p.m. NDP candidate Garry Begg led by 16 votes with fewer than 20 ballots remaining to be counted.
There will still be a judicial recount in Surrey-Guildford, although judicial recounts have historically not changed election results.
In a statement on X, BC Conservative leader John Rustad said his party is ready to serve as 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,” he said.
“Together, we will work tirelessly to ensure that your voices are heard and that we build a stronger future for all of BC.”
The BC Conservatives have won the most votes in 44 ridings and the Greens have won two seats.
The NDP candidate in Juan de Fuca Malahat is leading by 127 votes. Elections BC said at 1:30 p.m. that the recount for the district is complete. Officials have moved on to counting their remaining absentee ballots.
Elections BC said the tally of more than 22,000 absentee and special votes began at 9 a.m. Monday, with the results then updated on its website hourly “as counting progresses.”
-with files from The Canadian Press