B.C. NDP must ‘adapt,’ ‘build bridges,’ says Surrey MLA now nicknamed ‘Comeback Kid’

By Dirk Meissner, The Canadian Press on October 30, 2024.

VICTORIA – The New Democrat whose 27-vote, come-from-behind victory is being credited with giving B.C. Premier David Eby a razor-thin majority government says he’s a bridge builder in his community and the New Democrats need to build similar relationships across the province.

Garry Begg’s slim win over the B.C. Conservative candidate in Surrey-Guildford is still subject to a judicial recount, but for now his win gives the NDP the 47 seats needed to form a majority government in British Columbia’s 93-seat legislature.

Begg, a former RCMP officer who was first elected in 2017, was greeted with hugs and handshakes as the NDP’s new caucus gathered at the legislature for its first meeting since before the Oct. 19 election.

Begg lost to the Conservative candidate on election night but addition of mail-in and absentee ballots gave him the win, and now he says he’s being called the “Comeback Kid.”

Premier David Eby says one of his first orders of business is putting together a new cabinet after losing five people from his inner circle during the election and seven ministers who did not run for re-election.

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad says he plans to ensure his new caucus of 44 members will place intense pressure on the NDP to work to help everyday people in British Columbia.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 30, 2024.

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