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2009 British Columbia general election

Canadian provincial election


Canadian provincial election

FieldValue
election_name2009 British Columbia general election
countryBritish Columbia
typeparliamentary
ongoingno
party_colourno
party_nameno
previous_election2005 British Columbia general election
previous_year2005
next_election2013 British Columbia general election
next_year2013
seats_for_election85 seats of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
43 seats were needed for a majority
election_dateMay 12, 2009
outgoing_members38th Parliament of British Columbia
elected_members39th Parliament of British Columbia
turnout50.99% 7.2 pp
image1[[File:Gordon Campbell.jpgx150px]]
colour1
leader1Gordon Campbell
leader_since1September 11, 1993
party1
leaders_seat1Vancouver-Point Grey
last_election146 seats
seats1**49**
seat_change13
popular_vote1**751,661**
percentage1**45.82%**
swing10.03%
image2[[File:Carole James 2011 (cropped).jpgx150px]]
colour2
leader2Carole James
leader_since2November 23, 2003
party2
leaders_seat2Victoria-Beacon Hill
last_election233 seats
seats235
seat_change22
popular_vote2691,564
percentage242.15%
swing20.62%
image3[[File:Jane Sterk.JPGx150px]]
colour3
leader3Jane Sterk
leader_since3October 21, 2007
party3
leaders_seat3*Ran in Esquimalt-Royal Roads (Lost)*
last_election30 seats
seats30
seat_change3
popular_vote3134,570
percentage38.21%
swing30.97%
map_imageBritish_Columbia_Provincial_Election_2009.svg
map_size350px
map_captionPopular vote by riding. As this is an FPTP election, seat totals are not determined by popular vote, but instead via results by each riding. Click the map for more details.
titlePremier
before_electionGordon Campbell
before_party
after_electionGordon Campbell
posttitlePremier after election
after_party

43 seats were needed for a majority The 2009 British Columbia general election was held on May 12, 2009, to elect members of the Legislative Assembly in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The British Columbia Liberal Party (BC Liberals) formed the government of the province prior to this general election under the leadership of Premier Gordon Campbell. The British Columbia New Democratic Party (BC NDP) under the leadership of Carole James was the Official Opposition.

The election was the first contested on a new electoral map completed in 2008, with the total number of constituencies increased from 79 in the previous legislature to 85. Under amendments to the BC Constitution Act passed in 2001, BC elections are now held on fixed dates which are the second Tuesday in May every four years.

A second referendum on electoral reform was held in conjunction with the election.

The election did not produce a significant change in the province's political landscape. The BC Liberals, who had been in power since the 2001 provincial election, were returned to power, constituting the first time in 23 years a party had won three elections in a row in British Columbia. Polling at the start of the year had shown the Liberals on-track to be returned with an increased majority, but a late shift in voter intentions from the Green Party to the NDP would ultimately lead to a near-repeat of the previous election four years prior. As a result of the seat redistribution, both the Liberals and the New Democrats gained seats, and both parties increased their popular vote by less than one per cent over 2005. Each party lost two incumbent MLAs: the BC NDP's Jenn McGinn and Charlie Wyse, and the Liberals' John Nuraney and Wally Oppal were defeated. All other seat changes in the election resulted from the new seats or from retiring incumbents.

Voter turnout was 50.99% of eligible voters (1,651,567 registered voters).

2008 redistribution of ridings

Main article: 2008 British Columbia electoral redistribution

An Act was passed in 2008 providing for an increase of seats from 79 to 85, upon the next election. The following changes were made:

Abolished ridingsNew ridings*Renaming of districts**Drawn from other districts**Division of districts**Reorganization of districts*

Political parties

British Columbia Liberal Party

New Democratic Party of British Columbia

Green Party of British Columbia

Minor parties

**British Columbia Conservative Party**
**British Columbia Libertarian Party**
**British Columbia Marijuana Party**
**BC Refederation Party**
**Communist Party of British Columbia**
**Nation Alliance Party**
**People's Front**
**Reform Party of British Columbia**
**Sex Party**
**Western Canada Concept**
**Work Less Party of British Columbia**
**Your Political Party**

Timeline of the campaign

April 10, 2008, passage of the Electoral Districts Act, 2008 moving BC from 79 to 85 constituencies.

October 29, 2008, by-elections in Vancouver-Burrard and Vancouver-Fairview, both won by the New Democrats.

April 14, 2009, the campaign will officially begin when the writ is issued.

April 24, 2009 1pm close of nominations for the election.

May 12, 2009, Election day.

Debates

There was one TV debate featuring the leaders of the three major parties: Gordon Campbell, Carole James, and Jane Sterk on all three major BC networks on Sunday May 3 at 5:00 p.m.

CKNW had a debate of the three leaders on April 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

CBC Radio One had a debate of the three leaders on April 21 at 7:30 a.m.

Opinion polls

Polling firmLast day
of surveySourceLiberalNDPGreenCons.OtherMESampleBCLiberal}}" class="unsortable"BCNDP}}" class="unsortable"BCGreen}}" class="unsortable"BCConservative}}" class="unsortable"CAIndépendant}};" data-sort-type="number"
**Voting results****45.82**42.158.212.101.72
IpsosMay 7, 2009[1](https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/ndp-steal-green-vote-bc-liberals-remain-8-points-ahead)[2](https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/publication/2009-05/mr090509-1tb1.pdf)**47**39104±3.5800
MustelMay 7, 2009[https://web.archive.org/web/20090520185048/http://www.mustelgroup.com/pdf/20090507.pdf](https://web.archive.org/web/20090520185048/http://www.mustelgroup.com/pdf/20090507.pdf)**47**38123
Angus ReidMay 6, 2009[https://web.archive.org/web/20090520205349/http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/uploads/pages/pdfs/2009.05.08_BCProv.pdf](https://web.archive.org/web/20090520205349/http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/uploads/pages/pdfs/2009.05.08_BCProv.pdf)**44**421022±3.11,013
EnvironicsMay 2, 2009[https://web.archive.org/web/20110707215130/http://bc2009.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/2009-05-04-environics-poll.pdf](https://web.archive.org/web/20110707215130/http://bc2009.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/2009-05-04-environics-poll.pdf)**47**36135
Angus ReidApril 28, 2009[http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/uploads/pages/pdfs/2009.04.29_BCProv.pdf](http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/uploads/pages/pdfs/2009.04.29_BCProv.pdf)**42**391333
MustelApril 7, 2009[https://web.archive.org/web/20100816030504/http://www.mustelgroup.com/pdf/20090414.pdf](https://web.archive.org/web/20100816030504/http://www.mustelgroup.com/pdf/20090414.pdf)**52**35121±4.5483
Angus ReidMarch 25, 2009[https://web.archive.org/web/20090329085816/http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/polls-analysis/opinion-polls/bc-liberals-lead-voter-turnout-will-decide-bc-election](https://web.archive.org/web/20090329085816/http://www.angusreidstrategies.com/polls-analysis/opinion-polls/bc-liberals-lead-voter-turnout-will-decide-bc-election)**43**371343
IpsosMarch 24, 2009[https://web.archive.org/web/20091101082722/http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=4320](https://web.archive.org/web/20091101082722/http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=4320)**46**35154
MustelFebruary 10, 2009[https://web.archive.org/web/20100816030454/http://www.mustelgroup.com/pdf/20090213.pdf](https://web.archive.org/web/20100816030454/http://www.mustelgroup.com/pdf/20090213.pdf)**52**36121
MustelJanuary 15, 2009[https://web.archive.org/web/20090124090609/http://www.mustelgroup.com/pdf/20090119.pdf](https://web.archive.org/web/20090124090609/http://www.mustelgroup.com/pdf/20090119.pdf)**47**33164
*[Election 2005](2005-british-columbia-general-election)*May 17, 2005**45.80**41.529.180.552.95

Results

PartyLeaderCandidatesVotesSeats#±%Change (pp)[2005](2005-british-columbia-general-election)2009±1,640,542100.00%
Gordon Campbell85751,66155,45745.82{{bartable0.02−51embackground:green}}463Carole James85691,56440,219
**Total**345

Vote and seat summaries

|File:Ternary BC2005.svg |2005 |File:Ternary BC2009.svg |2009

MLAs elected

Synopsis of results

Main article: Results of the 2009 British Columbia general election by riding

RidingWinning partyTurnout
including spoilt ballotsVotesparties receiving more than 1% of the popular vote, or fielding candidates in at least half of the constituencies, are listed separately.Name**[2005](2005-british-columbia-general-election)**PartyVotesShareMargin
#Margin
%LibNDPGrnConIndOthTotal
Abbotsford-Mission*New*Lib10,37158.36%4,58325.79%52.10%10,3715,7881,61117,770
Abbotsford South*New*Lib9,56658.47%5,36932.82%48.75%9,5664,1971,2441,01933416,360
Abbotsford WestLibLib8,99255.81%3,88624.12%52.86%8,9925,1069701,04316,111
Alberni-Pacific RimNDPNDP10,48859.36%4,88327.64%57.68%5,60510,4881,32425017,667
Boundary-Similkameen*New*Lib6,68137.45%8114.55%62.31%6,6815,8701,6913,59617,838
Burnaby-Deer LakeLibNDP8,10348.75%5123.08%48.65%7,5918,10392816,622
Burnaby-EdmondsNDPNDP8,64751.94%2,26213.59%49.07%6,3858,6471,12249316,647
Burnaby-LougheedLibLib9,20748.45%6963.66%53.59%9,2078,5111,28519,003
Burnaby NorthLibLib9,88048.19%5482.67%53.85%9,8809,3321,29220,504
Cariboo-ChilcotinNDPLib6,25947.85%880.67%62.93%6,2596,17165013,080
Cariboo NorthNDPNDP7,00449.51%5033.56%60.24%6,5017,00464314,148
ChilliwackLibLib8,13844.61%2,23012.23%50.87%8,1385,9081,5232,67218,241
Chilliwack-HopeLibLib8,98553.28%3,34719.85%51.85%8,9855,6389511,1989316,865
Columbia River-RevelstokeNDPNDP7,41955.29%2,32617.33%56.17%5,0937,41990713,419
Comox ValleyLibLib13,88647.30%1,3784.69%60.99%13,88612,5082,57738629,357
Coquitlam-Burke Mountain*New*Lib8,64456.83%3,25121.37%48.87%8,6445,39390726615,210
Coquitlam-MaillardvilleNDPNDP9,81847.93%6733.29%55.22%9,1459,8181,04048120,484
Cowichan Valley*New*NDP12,54848.40%3,29012.69%62.54%9,25812,5483,05892413925,927
Delta NorthNDPNDP10,38150.48%1,8919.20%59.26%8,49010,38193875620,565
Delta SouthLibInd9,97742.50%320.14%68.59%9,9452,94055510,03723,477
Esquimalt-Royal RoadsNDPNDP11,51452.92%4,93522.68%58.27%6,57911,5143,66421,757
Fort Langley-AldergroveLibLib15,13961.09%7,64730.86%57.63%15,1397,4921,76538724,783
Fraser-Nicola*New*NDP6,70349.12%8736.40%63.38%5,8306,70389122313,647
Juan de FucaNDPNDP11,52057.21%4,65423.11%59.87%6,86611,5201,74920,135
Kamloops-North ThompsonLibLib9,83046.94%5102.44%55.05%9,8309,3201,41837520,943
Kamloops-South ThompsonLibLib12,54853.86%4,41618.95%57.56%12,5488,1321,5291,09023,299
Kelowna-Lake CountryLibLib10,28152.11%5,03125.50%47.25%10,2815,2501,3752,25357119,730
Kelowna-MissionLibLib11,50653.90%5,94027.83%50.68%11,5065,5661,5632,5311305121,347
Kootenay EastLibLib8,40451.22%2,56015.60%55.87%8,4045,8445491,61216,409
Kootenay West*New*NDP12,12666.65%8,05444.27%59.10%4,07212,1261,79120418,193
LangleyLibLib13,28256.55%4,87120.74%55.09%13,2828,4111,79323,486
Maple Ridge-MissionLibLib8,80245.73%680.35%55.10%8,8028,7341,38732519,248
Maple Ridge-Pitt MeadowsNDPNDP9,77247.07%2741.32%56.90%9,4989,7721,14920214020,761
NanaimoNDPNDP11,87753.33%3,79117.02%57.12%8,08611,8772,03627222,271
Nanaimo-North Cowichan*New*NDP12,88854.33%4,46218.81%61.45%8,42612,8882,13527123,720
Nechako LakesLibLib4,94955.76%1,81620.46%54.80%4,9493,1335592358,876
Nelson-CrestonNDPNDP9,06054.83%3,86923.42%60.30%5,1919,0601,1891,08316,523
New WestminsterNDPNDP13,41856.36%5,17821.75%55.99%8,24013,4182,15123,809
North CoastNDPNDP5,09757.33%1,98722.35%57.14%3,1105,0976838,890
North IslandNDPNDP11,86552.03%2,92812.84%57.21%8,93711,8651,67033322,805
North Vancouver-LonsdaleLibLib10,32349.16%2,53412.07%55.56%10,3237,7891,79186223220,997
North Vancouver-SeymourLibLib13,42659.18%7,21431.80%61.46%13,4266,2122,11693122,685
Oak Bay-Gordon HeadLibLib11,87746.53%5612.20%66.86%11,87711,3162,33025,523
Parksville-QualicumLibLib13,71651.42%3,58013.42%65.70%13,71610,1362,57325126,676
Peace River NorthLibLib3,99243.15%1,09311.81%40.01%3,9921,2931,0102,899589,252
Peace River SouthLibLib4,80163.08%2,74436.05%44.00%4,8012,0575332207,611
PentictonLibLib10,34643.96%3,01512.81%56.16%10,3467,3313,6852,0957823,535
Port Coquitlam*New*NDP11,12154.71%3,22515.87%55.21%7,89611,12199431520,326
Port Moody-Coquitlam*New*Lib9,97952.15%2,36512.36%57.44%9,9797,6141,26128019,134
Powell River-Sunshine CoastNDPNDP13,27658.28%5,45823.96%63.03%7,81813,2761,43624922,779
Prince George-MackenzieLibLib9,81656.05%3,36419.21%53.69%9,8166,4521,24517,513
Prince George-ValemountLibLib9,07250.61%2,33513.03%51.95%9,0726,7371,22578011317,927
Richmond CentreLibLib10,48361.51%5,53432.47%40.97%10,4834,9491,21339917,044
Richmond EastLibLib10,85358.73%4,85526.27%45.16%10,8535,9981,21141918,481
Richmond-StevestonLibLib13,16860.78%7,24333.43%51.57%13,1685,9251,4911,08221,666
Saanich North and the IslandsLibLib13,13644.93%2580.88%66.82%13,13612,8783,22329,237
Saanich SouthNDPNDP11,69747.14%4821.94%66.40%11,21511,6971,66423524,811
ShuswapLibLib10,76446.62%3,71316.08%56.82%10,7647,0512,5392,37436123,089
SkeenaNDPNDP5,86550.77%1,53713.30%55.15%4,3285,86546789311,553
StikineLibNDP4,27450.41%4455.25%65.28%3,8294,2743758,478
Surrey-CloverdaleLibLib13,81562.70%7,24832.90%55.03%13,8156,5671,65122,033
Surrey-Fleetwood*New*NDP8,85250.15%1,99211.29%53.96%6,8608,8521,12081817,650
Surrey-Green TimbersNDPNDP10,96672.73%7,34248.69%51.13%3,62410,96648815,078
Surrey-NewtonNDPNDP10,70968.93%6,69843.11%51.12%4,01110,7097595815,537
Surrey-PanoramaNDPLib11,82054.26%3,14514.44%56.71%11,8208,6751,29021,785
Surrey-TyneheadLibLib8,81452.50%1,5579.27%49.71%8,8147,25771716,788
Surrey-WhalleyNDPNDP10,45366.47%6,37040.51%47.39%4,08310,4531,18915,725
Surrey-White RockLibLib15,12162.05%8,45334.68%61.84%15,1216,6682,11846424,371
Vancouver-FairviewNDPLib11,03447.09%1,1534.92%56.50%11,0349,8812,23216512223,434
Vancouver-False Creek*New*Lib9,22356.40%4,72128.87%48.15%9,2234,5022,144385732716,354
Vancouver-FraserviewLibLib9,54949.29%7483.86%51.09%9,5498,80190411819,372
Vancouver-HastingsNDPNDP10,85755.49%4,53423.17%50.58%6,32310,8572,01237319,565
Vancouver-KensingtonNDPNDP9,93052.55%2,25211.92%51.98%7,6789,9301,28818,896
Vancouver-KingswayNDPNDP9,22955.17%2,71116.21%46.99%6,5189,22969928316,729
Vancouver-LangaraLibLib10,61558.87%4,27523.71%47.71%10,6156,3401,07518,030
Vancouver-Mount PleasantNDPNDP11,23263.95%7,57843.15%46.47%3,65411,2322,50717117,564
Vancouver-Point GreyLibLib11,54650.38%2,31410.10%55.98%11,5469,2322,01213022,920
Vancouver-QuilchenaLibLib15,73170.22%11,08549.48%57.67%15,7314,6462,02422,401
Vancouver-West End*New*NDP9,92656.51%4,19123.86%49.93%5,7359,9261,5823628617,565
Vernon-MonasheeLibLib9,01537.27%1,3175.45%53.73%9,0157,6984,0291,9721,3977624,187
Victoria-Beacon HillNDPNDP13,40055.37%7,02529.03%57.18%6,37513,4004,10631924,200
Victoria-Swan LakeNDPNDP13,11960.53%7,36533.98%56.90%5,75413,1192,62817421,675
West Vancouver-CapilanoLibLib15,29267.48%12,00152.95%57.96%15,2923,2911,6997101,48918222,663
West Vancouver-Sea to SkyLibLib10,10154.91%5,88732.00%53.07%10,1014,2144,08218,397
Westside-KelownaLibLib10,33453.33%4,67824.14%47.35%10,3345,6561,6171,77219,379

: = Open seat : = turnout is above provincial average : = winning candidate was in previous Legislature : = Incumbent had switched allegiance : = Previously incumbent in another riding : = Not incumbent; was previously elected to the Legislature : = Incumbency arose from by-election gain : = other incumbents renominated : = previously an MP in the House of Commons of Canada : = Multiple candidates

Summary analysis

Party in 1st placeParty in 2nd placeTotalLibNDPInd
48149
3535
11
Total3648185
Parties1st2nd3rd4th5th
4936
35482
1176
7411
9141
126
5
3
22
2
12
11
11
1
3
1
SourcePartyTotal
**Lib**align="center"**NDP**align="center"**Ind**
Seats retainedIncumbents returned26
Open seats held – new MLAs134
Open seats held – taken by MLA previously incumbent in another riding1
Seats changing handsIncumbents defeated2
Open seats gained11
New seatsNew MLAs3
MLAs previously incumbent in another riding36
**Total**4935

References

Sources

References

  1. "B.C. Voter Participation: 1983 to 2013". [[Elections BC]].
  2. {{Cite canlaw. (2008)
  3. BC Liberals. "British Columbia Liberal Party platform". Bcliberals.com.
  4. [https://www.bcndp.ca/why-ndp/BCNDP-platform-2009 BC NDP election platform] {{webarchive. link. (April 12, 2009)
  5. [http://www.greenparty.bc.ca/greenbook British Columbia's Green Book, 2009—2013: A Better Plan for British Columbia] {{webarchive. link. (April 27, 2009)
  6. ''[https://thetyee.ca/News/2009/04/07/ConservativeChallenge/ Campbell's Challenge from the Right: The BC Conservative Party] {{Webarchive. link. (2017-09-25 '', Bill Tieleman, ''The Tyee'', April 7, 2009)
  7. "British Columbia Conservative Party platform". Bcconservative.com.
  8. (2009-05-13). "BC Libertarian Party statement". Libertarian.bc.ca.
  9. Pablo, Carlito (2009). [https://www.straight.com/article-200892/bc-marijuana-party-goes-green B.C. Marijuana Party endorses Greens for provincial election] {{Webarchive. link. (2018-11-16 ''The Georgia Straight''. Accessed December 21, 2015.)
  10. [http://refedbc.com/siteA/page55/page58/page58.html BC Refederation Party policies] {{webarchive. link. (May 23, 2009)
  11. [http://www.cpcbc.ca/program.html Platform statement from the Communist Party of BC.] {{webarchive. link. (May 5, 2009)
  12. (2007-07-25). "Nation Alliance Party platform". Nationalliance.com.
  13. MLPC. "Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada program". Mlpc.ca.
  14. "Reform Party of British Columbia platform". Reformbc.net.
  15. "Sex Party provincial platform". Sexparty.ca.
  16. (1989-03-15). "Western Canada Concept Party of BC principles". Westcan.org.
  17. "Work Less Party". Work Less Party.
  18. "YPP-of-BC Platform".
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