MLA Linda Larson, the B.C. Liberal candidate, had her vote count total increased by 339 in the final count. There were only minor shifts in the percentages of votes received by the candidates in the final count compared to election night. (File photo)

This story has been updated to include results in Courtenay-Comox, which left the seat count the same as on election night. Reactions of party leaders have also been added.

The final numbers are now in for Boundary-Similkameen provincial vote and there were no new surprises.

Provincially, the seat totals announced on election night will also stick, leaving the B.C. Liberals with 43 seats and planning to lead a minority government, which could be short-lived.

MLA Linda Larson was re-elected with 9,513 votes, representing 42.8 per cent of the popular vote.

That’s an increase of 339 votes from those announced on election night and a slight drop in percentage of about three tenths of one per cent.

Elections B.C. is releasing final voting counts, which include absentee ballots that were not counted on election night. Except in very close races, the new counts were unlikely to change the result, but they do increase the numbers of votes that candidates received.

Province-wide, the final count has confirmed the results from election night with the B.C. Liberals winning 43 seats, the B.C. NDP with 41 and the B.C. Greens with three. This gives B.C. its first minority government since 1952.

The tightest race was in Courtney-Comox, where the NDP had a nine-vote lead on election night. When a recount and absentee ballots were considered, the NDP lead grew to 189 votes.

“With 43 Liberal candidates elected as MLAs, and a plurality in the legislature, we have a responsibility to move forward and form a government,” said Premier Christy Clark after the final count in Courtenay-Comox was announced.

But that government could be short-lived if the NDP and Greens decide to deny her the confidence of a majority of MPs in the legislature.

The NDP could then govern with Green support, either informally or in a formal coalition.

NDP Leader John Horgan’s statement after final results were announced, suggests he’s prepared to form government with support of the Greens.

“British Columbians have overwhelmingly voted to replace Christy Clark’s Liberals with a new government that works better for families,” Horgan said. “The newly elected B.C. NDP team will be working hard every day to ensure British Columbians get a new government that works for them, instead of just the wealth and well-connected.”

Green Leader Andrew Weaver, whose party has three seats, has immense power beyond his numbers — he can determine which of the other two leaders forms the government, or he could decide to force British Columbians into another election if he can’t strike a deal with either party.

“With this historic result, British Columbia can finally put the ineffective two-party system behind us,” said Weaver, who supports a proportional system of elections that would give smaller parties more power.

“I look forward to working with both other parties so that we can finally get big money out of politics, move towards electoral reform and implement good public policy on a wide range of issues that puts people first,” said Weaver.

Also in Boundary-Similkameen, NDP candidate Colleen Ross increased her total by 334 votes to 7,275. That gives her 32.73 per cent of the popular vote.

In third place, independent candidate Dr. Peter Entwistle added 137 votes bringing his total to 3,165 votes, and 14.24 per cent.

In fourth and last place was Vonnie Lavers of the B.C. Greens, who added 129 votes for a final total of 2,274 and 10.23 per cent.

Only the count in Courtenay-Comox is still in progress, with further updates scheduled for 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday.

That riding received 2,077 certification envelopes, which would be mostly absentee ballots.

Boundary-Similkameen received 984 certification envelopes, which was one of the lower numbers in the province.

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times