A second B.C. Green candidate has won his riding in the provincial election, potentially giving the party a big role in the legislature.
Jeremy Valeriote won in West Vancouver — Sea to Sky, after colleague Rob Botterell won Saanich North and the Islands, previously held by fellow Green Adam Olsen, who did not run.
The Greens also went into the election with two seats in the legislature.
However, party leader Sonia Furstenau was defeated after switching ridings to Victoria — Beacon Hill.
Both NDP Leader David Eby and Conservative Leader John Rustad retained their seats, while Green Leader Sonia Furstenau lost to the NDP's Grace Lore after switching ridings to Victoria-Beacon Hill. However, the Greens retained their place in the legislature after Rob Botterell won in Saanich North and the Islands, previously occupied by party colleague Adam Olsen, who did not seek re-election.
British Columbia Premier and NDP Leader David Eby has won re-election in the riding of Vancouver-Point Grey. Eby was first elected to the riding in 2013, when he defeated then-premier and former B.C. Liberal leader Christy Clark.
Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau has lost her seat in the legislature after changing ridings to Victoria-Beacon Hill. Furstenau lost to Grace Lore, the minister of children and family development in the previous NDP government.
Conservative Leader John Rustad was elected in Nechako Lakes, and 20 minutes after polls closed, his party was elected or leading in 46 ridings, with the NDP elected or leading in 45. Among the early winners were the NDP's Ravi Kahlon in Delta North and Niki Sharma in Vancouver-Hastings, as well as the Conservatives' Bruce Banman in Abbotsford South.
British Columbia Conservative Leader John Rustad has been re-elected in his riding of Nechako Lakes. Rustad was kicked out of the Opposition BC United Party for his support on social media of an outspoken climate change critic in 2022, and last year was acclaimed as the B.C. Conservative leader.
Polls have closed in British Columbia after a rain-drenched election day in much of the province. Voters braved high winds and torrential downpours brought by an atmospheric river weather system that forced closures of several polling stations due to power outages.