On a night that marked a national shift in political tides, the Conservative stronghold of Columbia-Kootenays-Southern Rockies held firm, re-electing Rob Morrison for a third consecutive term. Morrison earned 23,788 votes, or 51% of ballots cast from 280 of 310 polls reporting, confirming deep-rooted Conservative support in the region.
The broader picture told a different story, as Mark Carney and the Liberal Party stormed to victory, ousting the Conservatives from their federal aspirations. In a major political upset, both Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh lost their seats in Parliament.
Despite the national Liberal surge, Morrison’s local result remained steady, even after recent riding boundary changes that brought in Trail and removed Revelstoke and Golden. The vote reflected the region’s ongoing confidence in the Conservative platform.
Final Results (Preliminary – 280/310 polls)
Rob Morrison (Conservative): 23,788 votes (51%)
Reggie Goldsbury (Liberal): 12,736 votes
Kallee Lins (NDP): 8,429 votes
Steven Maffioli (Green Party): 762 votes
Jim Wiedrick (Independent): 596 votes
Laurie Baird (People’s Party): 370 votes
While Morrison’s win was decisive, Liberal candidate Reggie Goldsbury made a significant breakthrough by placing second — a first for a Liberal in over 25 years in the riding previously known as Kootenay-Columbia.
Reggie Goldsbury
“Liberals came second in the riding because at the local level and first at the federal level we had the right candidate at the right time,” Goldsbury said. “Locally here, with myself having such strong connections in all of our riding—professional and personal relationships—we showed that the progressive vote does not have to stay with the NDP.”
The shift in progressive voting patterns, particularly from the NDP to the Liberals, echoed a broader national trend that propelled Carney’s Liberals to victory. Goldsbury’s result may signal future competition in what has long been seen as a safe Conservative seat.
As the dust settles from Monday’s federal election, the riding remains Conservative blue, but the growing strength of the Liberal vote suggests that political dynamics in the Columbia-Kootenays-Southern Rockies may be entering a new era.
