In Northwest, B.C. the region, by size is larger than Poland, and politically speaking is known as the riding of Skeena – Bulkley Valley.

There are around 67,000 voters in the region and the best turnout was a decade ago in 2015 when more than 69 per cent of voters cast their ballot. The NDP won and have held this riding for more than 20 years. The incumbent Taylor Bachach, is a former mayor of Smithers, a major economic hub in the region, but with only about 5,500 people.

Bachrach is seeking his their term as the regions Member of Parliament, originally elected in 2019, after long-time MP Nathan Cullen bowed out for provincial politics, then Bachrach was re-elected in 2021 with more than 42 percent of the vote.

Other candidates include, the Liberals Inderpal Dhillion, who could split the left vote, along with the Green Party’s Adeana Young. And on the right the Christian Heritage Party’s national leader, Rod Taylor will be looking for his usual 3 percent of the vote.

And for the Conservatives a blue wave has been forming. Ellis Ross, is the  Conservative challenger and is poised to win. The former Haisla Nation Chief Councillor is credited with leading the Haisla to being part of the largest industrial project in Canada in years, LNG Canada in Kitimat, B.C. He’s also a former opposition member of the BCLiberals in Victoria for the provincial riding of Skeena and has been gaining popularity for years.

After 20 years in NDP hands, Ross is proving to be the toughest competition for the NDP Northwest, B.C., which will have Bachrach fighting for every last vote on April 28th.

During the campaign CICK News had a chance to speak with all the candidates running in Skeena – Bulkley Valley to hear why votes should elect them as their next Member of Parliament.