The race for Skeena-Bulkley Valley has seen Conservative candidate Ellis Ross in the lead, with 47.7% of the vote, or 18,336 votes, as 241 out of 254 polls have reported. Incumbent NDP candidate Taylor Bachrach is in second place with 38.7% of the vote, securing 14,856 votes. Liberal candidate Inderpal Dhillon follows with 11.0%, garnering 4,221 votes, while Rod Taylor of the Christian Heritage Party and Green Party candidate Adeana Young trail with 1.4% and 1.2% of the vote, respectively. The total number of valid votes cast stands at 38,406, with voter turnout recorded at 55.54% of the 69,154 registered electors.
Ross, a former Haisla chief councillor and BC Liberal MLA, is leading despite the Conservatives not forming a government. His focus on economic growth, particularly around resource extraction, and his advocacy for Aboriginal rights and title resonate strongly with local voters. Skeena-Bulkley Valley, which has long been an NDP stronghold, could see a shift in political direction with Ross’s potential victory. The region’s political future is now in flux, with Ross’s leadership playing a key role in shaping local policies and the future of the area’s economy.
