BC NDP picks up two Fraser Valley seats as provincial vote count continues

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The BC NDP has flipped two more seats in the Fraser Valley, adding to the party’s historic gains in the region on election day.

In Chilliwack -Kent, incumbent Laurie Throness has conceded to Kelli Paddon, a rookie candidate with a background as an advocate for people with developmental disabilities.

https://twitter.com/LaurieThroness/status/1325224842673545216

Throness was at the centre of a controversy in June when he bought advertising in a conservative Christian magazine that defended conversion therapy. Throness defended this decision, refusing to pull his ads. Despite calls throughout the campaign from Pride organizations, and condemnation from the NDP, Leader Andrew Wilkinson didn’t drop Throness from the party.  However, his comments comparing an NDP plan to provide free contraception to eugenics resulted in his resignation from the party.

New Democrat and Mission Mayor Pam Alexis has won in Abbotsford-Mission, ousting BC Liberal incumbent Simon Gibson.

This afternoon, following the final count, I was declared MLA-elect for #AbbotsfordMission

Thank you to the voters, Elections BC officials, my volunteers and of course Simon Gibson for his years of service to our community.

— Pam Alexis (@Pam_Alexis_) November 7, 2020

Counting of mail-in and absentee ballots will continue through Sunday.

Two ridings remain too close to call, Richmond-South Centre and Vernon-Monashee.

The results on election night gave the New Democrats a majority government with 53 seats, the Liberals 27 seats, the Greens three and four outstanding.

With files from The Canadian Press