NDP dumps Liberals in BC byelections

As Melanie Mark achieved a landslide victory in Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, the party’s candidate in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain eked out a narrower win.

In Coquitlam-Burke Mountain, New Democrat Jodie Wickens pulled ahead of Liberal Joan Isaacs, winning by a margin of more than 600 votes.

The NDP’s Melanie Mark is Vancouver-Mount Pleasant’s new MLA and will become the first indigenous woman to serve in the B.C. legislature.

The next provincial election is scheduled for May 9, 2017. “I’m beyond words”, Mark said.

She brings eight years of experience from the office of the B.C. Representative for Children and Youth.

Traditionally, byelections don’t favour the ruling party, but even if the Liberals lose both ridings, Christy Clark’s government won’t be in jeopardy.

The NDP has held the riding – in its various forms – for more than 80 years but the seat was left vacant when Jenny Kwan resigned to run successfully for MP in Vancouver-East in last fall’s federal election. Since 1982, the governing party has won two of the last 21 by-elections, nearly always with a disappointing voter turnout.

Besides Ms. Wickens and Ms. Isaacs, the other candidate in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain was Joe Keithley, former frontman for the Vancouver punk band DOA now working as a record-company executive.

Premier Clark and Transportation Minister Todd Stone picked up on her Uber advocacy in particular, touting Ms. Isaacs as a potential strong voice on the issue in a BC Liberal caucus.

Horgan said: “I am very excited about going into the Legislature with these two stellar campaigners who are our newest BC New Democratic MLAs”.

Issues have included the planned relocation of St. Paul’s Hospital and transit.