Norm Macdonald (politician) - Provincial Politics

Provincial Politics

With the election set for May 2005, Macdonald continued working at his teaching job while travelling on weekends to build his support network. The incumbent MLA, Wendy McMahon of the governing BC Liberals, was promoted to a ministerial position (Minister of Women's' and Seniors' Services) in December 2004 and major improvements to Kicking Horse Canyon Highway and rural roads were announced. However, Macdonald's campaign highlighted provincial services that had suffered since the 2001 election, such as the closure of several schools, the closure of the Kimberley hospital, reduced capacity at extended care facilities in Golden and Revelstoke, and the elimination of conservation officers. He also campaigned on his ability to provide better representation of local issues and was supported with campaign stops in the area, in late April, from party leader Carole James. Despite the late entrance by a Green Party candidate, who did not campaign in the riding, Macdonald won the election with over 50% of the vote, though his party lost the provincial election to the BC Liberals who formed their second majority government. Macdonald spent $38,430 on his campaign, the lowest amount of all the winning candidates.