B.C. will be ruled by a Liberal government, but it could be either a minority or majority depending on possible recounts and the counting of absentee ballots.
The BC Liberals are elected or leading in 43 of the province’s 87 ridings. The NDP were elected or leading in 41 ridings while the Green Party won three seats.
Two seats — Courtenay-Comox and Maple Ridge-Mission — are currently leaning NDP but could face recounts.
WATCH: With votes still being counted, Christy Clark focuses on hope
“Some things only happen in British Columbia,” BC Liberal Leader Christy Clark said to a crowd of supporters after midnight.
“Here tonight we have been presented with an opportunity by British Columbians to open a whole new dialogue in our province, in our legislature.”
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NDP Leader John Horgan urged his supporters to be patient.
“British Columbians have waited 16 years for a government that works for them and we’re going to have to ask you to wait a little bit longer until all the votes are counted and the final results of this election are known,” he said.
WATCH: NDP Leader John Horgan addresses supporters
Green Leader Andrew Weaver celebrated his party’s historic breakthrough in the B.C. election, winning three seats.
“In the days ahead there’ll be plenty of discussions taking place between all parties, and now is not the time for those discussions,” he said. “Now is the time for Greens across North America to celebrate.”
WATCH: Green Party leader Andrew Weaver hails ‘historic night for B.C.’
The last time a minority government was elected in B.C. was 1952 when the Social Credit Party narrowly defeated the NDP.
BC election 2017: Live real-time results
Before that, the Liberals and Conservatives formed a coalition government that lasted from 1941 to 1951.
WATCH: What will the BC Legislature look like now?
— With files from Jesse Ferreras
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