1979 British Columbia Election

Overview

The 1979 British Columbia Election was held on May 10th, 1979.

Result

Social Credit won the most seats in the election

Held on

May 10th, 1979

Writ day

April 3rd, 1979

Number of Electoral Districts

50

Fixed Date

No

Election Notes

References : Electoral History of British Columbia 1871-1986. Prepared by Elections British Columbia and the Legislative Library (ISBN 0-7718-8677-2).

  • Results
  • Districts
  • Charts
  • Legislature

Result

Total ElectorsValid BallotsValid VotesInvalid VotesTurnout Rate
1,673,0481,134,1771,405,07713,16967.79%
PartyCandidatesSeats Won% of Seats Won% of Vote
Social Credit573154.39%48.23%
New Democratic Party572645.61%45.99%
North American Labour Party400%0.02%
Progressive Conservative Party of British Columbia3700%5.06%
Western Independence Party200%0.04%
Independent New Hope100%0.01%
Communist Party of Canada900%0.10%
Gay Alliance Toward Equality100%0.01%
Independent500%0.08%
British Columbia Liberal Party500%0.47%

Additional information for Social Credit

Citation : http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/social-credit/

Additional information for Progressive Conservative Party of British Columbia

Note : The BC Conservative party took this name in 1951 after the collapse of the Coalition government it had formed with the Liberal Party in 1945 and 1949. The party changed its name back to the British Columbia Conservative Party in 1991.

Legislature Composition

Vote Share by Political Parties

Seats Won by Political Parties

Seats Share by Political Parties

Alberni

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
137682011376820116725
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyRobert SkellyRobert Skelly was elected7935
Communist Party of CanadaGary Swann97
Social CreditJoseph Van Bergen5736

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Atlin

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
1499391499392376
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditFrank Calder749
New Democratic PartyAlan PassarellAlan Passarell was elected750

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Boundary-Similkameen

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
288863242888632438429
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditJames HewittJames Hewitt was elected13739
New Democratic PartyBryan McIver11485
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaJohn Swales3662

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Burnaby North

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
242474862424748637405
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyEileen DaillyEileen Dailly was elected12843
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaSheryl England1064
North American Labour PartyBrian Gray41
Communist Party of CanadaMargaret Griffin88
Social CreditJohn Oswald10211

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SM
District Magnitude 1

Burnaby-Edmonds

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
189463841894638428648
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyRosemary BrownRosemary Brown was elected9634
Social CreditWilliam Lewarne8375
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaRuth Parker937

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Burnaby-Willingdon

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
215355062153550634547
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyJames LorimerJames Lorimer was elected11100
Social CreditElwood Veitch10435

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Cariboo (BC)

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
214313152143131532714
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditAlexander FraserAlexander Fraser was elected13736
New Democratic PartyByron Kemp7233
IndependentBrian Mayne462

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data No
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Central Fraser Valley

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
179822791798227926924
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyJan Bakker4653
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaEva Barton1362
Social CreditWilliam RitchieWilliam Ritchie was elected11967

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude

Chilliwack

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
184412381844123823757
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyDavid Menzies5792
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaThomas Pirie1413
Social CreditHarvey SchroederHarvey Schroeder was elected11236

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Columbia River

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
9251157925115711420
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditJames ChabotJames Chabot was elected4830
New Democratic PartySandra Smaill4421

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Comox

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
220613152206131529989
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditDelbert Doll9390
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaEric Kellow2251
New Democratic PartyKaren SanfordKaren Sanford was elected10420

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Coquitlam-Moody

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
206292232062922328188
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaOrest Jakubec762
Social CreditLeslie Keen7915
New Democratic PartyStuart LeggattStuart Leggatt was elected11919
North American Labour PartyCalvin Segur33

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Cowichan-Malahat

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
186981801869818025032
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditHenry Hollett7746
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaKenneth Paskin1113
New Democratic PartyBarbara WallaceBarbara Wallace was elected9839

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Delta

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
298002282980022841873
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaElsie Burnett1877
Social CreditWalter DavidsonWalter Davidson was elected16421
New Democratic PartyCarl Liden11429
Communist Party of CanadaJohn Stevens73

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Dewdney

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
246414672464146733935
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditGeorge MussallemGeorge Mussallem was elected12643
New Democratic PartyJoan Norris11998

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Esquimalt-Port Renfrew

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
241765232417652334729
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Western Independence PartyDouglas Christie280
Social CreditLyle Kahl9812
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaWilliam Langlois1462
New Democratic PartyFranklin MitchellFranklin Mitchell was elected12419
Independent New HopeDonald Stansall72
IndependentWayne Williams131

Election Result Notes

Note : Newly constructed riding, no incumbent, although Lyle Kahl held the ancestor riding of Esquimalt.

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Kamloops (BC)

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
298245452982454544429
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyAndrew Lapa12121
Social CreditKenneth MairKenneth Mair was elected15430
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaMurray Pratt2273

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Kootenay

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
124921021249210217252
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaRoy Paul975
Social CreditTerry SegartyTerry Segarty was elected6167
New Democratic PartyDouglas Wright5350

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Langley

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
218593022185930232040
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaSherri Anderson1885
New Democratic PartyStephen Duguid7984
Social CreditRobert McClellandRobert McClelland was elected11990

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Mackenzie (BC)

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
170152651701526524331
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditGerald Gray6515
New Democratic PartyDonald LocksteadDonald Lockstead was elected10500

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Maillardville-Coquitlam

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
213274952132749530441
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditGeorge Kerster9422
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaGerald Legge921
New Democratic PartyNorman LeviNorman Levi was elected10913
North American Labour PartyGerald Therrien71

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Nanaimo (BC)

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
290004202900042040001
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditThomas Humble11979
New Democratic PartyDavid StupichDavid Stupich was elected17021

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Nelson-Creston

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
174923031749230323058
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditGeorge Coleman7349
New Democratic PartyLorne NicolsonLorne Nicolson was elected10143

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

New Westminster (BC)

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
191292921912929229588
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyDennis CockeDennis Cocke was elected11343
Social CreditMalvern Hughes7786

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

North Island

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
169272741692727424413
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
IndependentMorley Dodman225
Social CreditGerry Furney6649
New Democratic PartyColin GabelmannColin Gabelmann was elected8831
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaPeter Johnson1222

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

North Okanagan

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
196191901961919026402
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaJewel Butters2582
Social CreditPatricia JordanPatricia Jordan was elected9811
New Democratic PartyJerry Winters7226

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

North Peace River

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
8679147867914712678
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyJoseph Breti2081
Social CreditAnthony BrummetAnthony Brummet was elected6598

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

North Vancouver-Capilano

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
237704552377045536420
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyMichael Copes7139
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaWilliam Nichol1579
Social CreditAngus ReeAngus Ree was elected13247
British Columbia Liberal PartyFrank Warburton1805

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

North Vancouver-Seymour

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
227303382273033833823
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditJohn DavisJohn Davis was elected11049
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaJoy Gilmore1796
New Democratic PartyVida Langan8417
British Columbia Liberal PartyJevington Tothill1468

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Oak Bay-Gordon Head

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
257554972575549733145
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyMuriel Overgaard6741
Social CreditBrian SmithBrian Smith was elected12730
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaVictor Stephens6284

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data No
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Omineca

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
9993199999319914613
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyRussell Anderson4163
Social CreditJack KempfJack Kempf was elected5830

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Prince George North

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
141814021418140222739
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyCharles Boyd6704
Social CreditJohn HeinrichJohn Heinrich was elected7477

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Prince George South

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
166803001668030024703
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyJoan MacLatchy6845
Social CreditBruce StrachanBruce Strachan was elected9835

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Prince Rupert

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
8300147830014712896
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyGraham LeaGraham Lea was elected5129
Social CreditHugh Robins3171

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Richmond (BC)

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
367323893673238953069
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditJames NielsenJames Nielsen was elected18783
New Democratic PartyHarold Steves15549
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaBarry Wright2400

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Rossland-Trail

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
158321861583218622402
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditJoseph Brooks5728
New Democratic PartyChristopher D'ArcyChristopher D9252
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaDale Drown852

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Saanich and the Islands (BC)

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
324104193241041942242
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditHugh CurtisHugh Curtis was elected16018
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaJohn Green2431
New Democratic PartyJohn Mika13961

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Shuswap-Revelstoke

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
222192932221929328140
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditLeonard Bawtree10008
New Democratic PartyWilliam KingWilliam King was elected10654
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaHarold Smiley1557

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data No
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Skeena (BC)

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
150342331503423322050
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyFrank HowardFrank Howard was elected7561
IndependentL McCreery197
IndependentArthur Serry83
Social CreditCyril Shelford7193

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

South Okanagan

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
329123243291232444946
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Social CreditWilliam BennettWilliam Bennett was elected20552
New Democratic PartyHugh Dendy10881
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaErnest Gardner1479

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

South Peace River

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
8054123805412311944
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyCorliss Miller2785
Social CreditDonald PhillipsDonald Phillips was elected5269

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Surrey

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
11936161890136894600
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Communist Party of CanadaJosephine Arland183
Communist Party of CanadaTimothy Gidora204
New Democratic PartyErnest HallErnest Hall was elected28644
Social CreditDalton Jones26306
Social CreditWilliam Vander ZalmWilliam Vander Zalm was elected29693
New Democratic PartyMichael Watkins28497
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaBrian Westwood5834

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula DMP
District Magnitude 2

Vancouver Centre (BC)

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
6220731673131062920
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyEmery BarnesEmery Barnes was elected17361
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaKeith Eady1475
Communist Party of CanadaMiguel Figueroa237
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaDouglas Henderson1511
Social CreditThomas Kennedy12233
Social CreditRichard Kimmitt11649
New Democratic PartyGary LaukGary Lauk was elected17464
Communist Party of CanadaMaurice Rush277

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula DMP
District Magnitude 2

Vancouver East (BC)

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
6627033938103256425
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyDavid BarrettDavid Barrett was elected21836
Social CreditHelen Boyce10857
North American Labour PartyAndré Doucet152
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaWilliam Honour1068
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaShirley Keinanen999
New Democratic PartyAlexander MacdonaldAlexander Macdonald was elected20670
Social CreditBernard Smith10688

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula DMP
District Magnitude 2

Vancouver-Little Mountain

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
7137736202114360999
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyMichael Harcourt17009
Social CreditGrace McCarthyGrace McCarthy was elected19350
New Democratic PartyJean Swanson16329
Social CreditEvan WolfeEvan Wolfe was elected18689

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula DMP
District Magnitude 2

Victoria City (BC)

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
8033940872110761200
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyCharles BarberCharles Barber was elected22700
Social CreditRobert Bawlf17002
Western Independence PartyMichael Easton275
New Democratic PartyGordon HansonGordon Hanson was elected20226
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaJack Lindsay2195
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaMargaret Lynn2018
Social CreditMichael Young15923

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula DMP
District Magnitude 2

West Vancouver-Howe Sound

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
243814592438145936223
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
Gay Alliance Toward EqualityRobert Cook126
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaChristopher England1916
New Democratic PartyLawrence Minchin5773
Social CreditLouis WilliamsLouis Williams was elected16566

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1

Yale-Lillooet (BC)

Valid VoteInvalid VotesValid BallotsInvalid BallotsElectors
140432051404320518650
Party NameCandidateElectedVotes
New Democratic PartyGerald Anderson5870
Progressive Conservative Party of British ColumbiaRaymond Ward864
Social CreditThomas WaterlandThomas Waterland was elected7309

Attributes

Acclamation No
Incomplete Data Yes
Electorial Formula SMP
District Magnitude 1