Columbia River – Revelstoke district elected Conservative Party of BC’s candidate Scott McInnis in the 2024 provincial election, with final results showing a 713 vote lead over BC NDP’s Andrea Dunlop. At one point during the Saturday, Oct. 19 elections day, Columbia River – Revelstoke was one of the various ridings throughout the province with less than an 11 tallied vote difference between the leading party and second place, with the district flipping between McInnis and Dunlop throughout the night. As ballots were counted and the lead extended, Columbia River – Revelstoke’s results eventually settled.
Official recounts were declared in Juan de Fuca-Malahat district and Surrey City Centre district and 11 ridings had results too close to declare until final vote counting Saturday, Oct. 26 to Monday, Oct. 28. Until then, provincial results hung in limbo with the BC NDP holding a projected 46 electoral districts and Conservative Party of BC holding a projected 45 electoral districts. Final results were announced Monday, Oct. 28 with NDP securing a majority government with the minimum 47 seats needed, Conservative Party of BC securing 44 seats and the BC Green party securing two seats.
In response to Revelstoke questions collected by Revelstoke Mountaineer, McInnis said his goals for the district if elected were housing dependent on community needs and attracting more workforce to the province. A highway intersection to one of Revelstoke’s developing neighborhoods was also a focus for readers, worried about the increasing number of crashes at the Oak Drive site. McInnis told Revelstoke Mountaineer he would work with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on strategies for that section of the Trans Canada highway along with various other sections of concern along the main provincial thoroughfare.
Revelstoke Mountaineer reached out to McInnis after the win to chat when Revelstoke could see him next and how he plans to keep connected with communities throughout the region.
“There will be weeks on end where my duties will keep me in Victoria when the House is in session, but I’ll be touring the riding regularly and making myself available to constituents whenever possible,” McInnis said.
Still, he’s working to schedule meetings with various groups between the settling of election dust and the lead up to that first meeting in Victoria. Office locations in Kimberley and Revelstoke will remain, providing those in the area a space to connect with McInnis’ staff with concerns or support needs.
There are some key events in Revelstoke McInnis is hoping his schedule will let him attend in the coming months, including one of the various winter markets and the Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards night.
“I love Revelstoke and will make any excuse to come and visit,” McInnis said, adding there doesn’t always have to be an event invitation for him to find a reason. “Popping by and hosting discussions over coffee with folks is also a great way for me to hear what concerns and celebrations you have.”
McInnis’ new role as Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA marks the end of Doug Clovechok’s term as MLA and he plans for retirement from politics. Clovechok and McInnis were both members of the BC United party before party leader Kevin Falcon suspended the party’s bid for the 2024 election and McInnis was brought on as a Conservative Party of BC candidate. McInnis shared that Clovechuk has become a dear friend and mentor over the years and he’s grateful for everything he’s learned from the longstanding MLA.
“I wish Doug and his family nothing but the utmost happiness and good health moving forward,” McInnis said. “I would also like him to keep his phone close, as I’ll have questions for him no doubt as I navigate this role in the early days.”
As for what he would like to tell the constituents throughout the Columbia River-Revelstoke district, no matter who they voted for?
“My goal is to serve the 35,000 employers I have in Columbia River-Revelstoke to the absolute best of my abilities.”
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