Claire Ratée to shift to Provincial politics, gains nomination in quest to claim Skeena for BC Conservatives

Claire Ratée is setting her sights on the upcoming BC election
announced as the BC Conservative Party candidate on Tuesday

The BC Conservative's have attracted a well known Northwest politician and businesswoman towards their plans to gain seats in the BC Legislature; that as Kitimat's Claire Ratée was announced on Tuesday as the party's candidate for the next provincial election in Skeena.

Ms. Ratée who moved from civic politics in Kitimat to the Federal scene ran in two Federal elections in 2019 and 2021. 

Her tireless work in the region helped to build the Conservative brand in the region, her travels across the northwest making for some favourable impressions for the party in the region and increased the Federal Conservatives share of the vote in Skeena-Bulkley Valley.

The Skeena Riding provincially is currently held by BC United MLA Ellis Ross, but as was announced last month, he too is making a shift, announced as the Federal Conservative candidate for the next Federal election.

The departure of the popular incumbent in Ross, (who at one time was rumoured to be considering a jump to the BC Conservatives) certainly puts the provincial seat in play come the provincial election.  

The new BC Conservative candidate shared her enthusiasm for Ross's federal ambitions through Twitter X on Wednesday,  as well as to outline her own plans for Skeena in the campaign ahead. 

With the BC Conservatives currently the second most popular party in the province, the possibility of a seat gain for the party led by John Rustad could very well be part of the election day narrative when British Columbians vote in come October 2024.

The BC United Party will be looking to hold onto to their hard earned capture of the key Northwest riding, while the BC NDP has its own plans in mind towards recapturing what was once a strong part of a three riding block of Orange on election nights.

The last polling on the Skeena Riding from 338 Canada came prior to the decision by Ellis Ross to move to Federal politics, the findings in December of 2023 indicating a tough three way race was already shaping up and that without any candidate announcements at the time.

The indication from that December poll notes of a potential BC NDP victory, though in politics the ten months from December to October  likely will see many fluctuations ahead.. 

With Ross moving on to the Federal side and Ms. Ratée shifting to the provincial scene, the future for Skeena likely will be determined by who the BC United nominate and how he or she resonates with the voters.

Something which could make for a shift in those polling results by the time October comes around and make Skeena a riding to watch on election night.

Note to the above story: Skeena-Bulkley Valley Conservative Association President, Ralph Weick  has clarified the nature of the nomination process in the constituency.

"It’s important to note that there is no direct affiliation between the Conservative Party of Canada and the BC Conservative Party. 

Two separate parties. 

 Also, there was a constitutional restriction to Claire Rattée running as a federal candidate in our riding for the 3rd consecutive time."

Those guidelines can be reviewed in Section 6 (c) (2) of the Rules and Procedures document.

More on themes of the BC Legislature can be reviewed through our archive page.