Record number of Indigenous MLAs heading to Victoria
Rookies Adam Olsen, Ellis Ross and re-elected Melanie Mark, Carole James brings number of Indigenous MLAs to 4
The number of Indigenous candidates elected to B.C.'s legislative assembly doubled on election night, from two to four.
The Green Party's Adam Olsen was victorious in Saanich North and the Islands, turning the tables on NDP incumbent Gary Holman, who beat him in the last provincial election by 379 votes.
Olsen is Tsartlip/W̱SÁNEĆ and a former Central Saanich city councillor.
Thank U 2 the people from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaanichNorthandtheIslands?src=hash">#SaanichNorthandtheIslands</a> who have put your trust in my care 4 the next 4 years. I take that very seriously. 3/5
—@AdamPOlsenEliss Ross won by a comfortable margin in Skeena, which includes both Kitimat and Terrace, turning the riding from NDP orange to Liberal red.
Ross is a former elected Haisla Nation chief councillor and was considered a star candidate for the Liberal Party. He ran on a platform of jobs and LNG development.
Melanie Mark had no problem holding her seat in the NDP stronghold Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. The Gitxsan, Nisga'a, Cree, and Ojibway single mother was first elected in a by-election last February.
And the NDP's Carole James won for the fourth straight time in Victoria-Beacon Hill. James is of Metis ancestry.
The 4 Indigenous candidates elected tonight <a href="https://twitter.com/melaniejmark">@melaniejmark</a> (NDP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamPOlsen">@AdamPOlsen</a> (Green) Carole James (NDP) & Ellis Ross (Liberal) in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bcelxn17?src=hash">#bcelxn17</a> <a href="https://t.co/Eu9rpasoLL">pic.twitter.com/Eu9rpasoLL</a>
—@AngelaSterritt