Ellis Ross

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Ellis Ross
Ross in Vancouver, March 2021
Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly
for Skeena
Assumed office
May 9, 2017
Preceded byRobin Austin
Personal details
Political partyBC United (Provincially)
Other political
affiliations
Conservative (Federally)
Residence(s)Kitamaat Village, British Columbia
ProfessionIndigenous Leader

Ellis Ross is a Canadian politician who was first elected in the 2017 British Columbia general election to represent Skeena. He was re-elected in 2020 and is currently serving his fifth year as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.[1] He is a member of the British Columbia Liberal Party caucus and serves as its Critic for Energy & LNG.[2]

Career[edit]

Prior to his election to the legislature, Ross was the Chief Councillor for the Haisla Nation. In 2006, he signed a $50 million agreement with Kitimat LNG to build a liquid natural gas plant on one of the Haisla Nation reserves. Ross also did survey work for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, then went into business with his brother doing hand logging and salvage log beachcombing. He also ran a charter boat.[3] He was inducted into the Order of British Columbia in 2014.[4]

In 2017 Ross was elected to the BC Legislature for the riding of Skeena. The riding had previously been an NDP stronghold, with the NDP winning the riding in five of the previous six elections — the only exception being the 2001 BC Liberal landslide. Upon his election, Premier Christy Clark appointed Ross to cabinet, where he served as Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing until the NDP and Greens defeated the government on a confidence vote.[5]

Ross was re-elected an MLA in 2020. The next year he became a candidate for leadership of the BC Liberal Party,[6] but was defeated by Kevin Falcon, who won election to the Legislative Assembly in a Vancouver-Quilchena by-election.

In January 2024, it was announced that Ross had been nominated to become the Conservative Party of Canada's candidate for the federal district of Skeena—Bulkley Valley.[7]

Electoral record[edit]

2020 British Columbia general election: Skeena
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Ellis Ross 5,810 52.06 −0.27 $47,839.99
New Democratic Nicole Halbauer 4,961 44.45 +1.16 $42,856.47
Independent Martin Holzbauer 389 3.49 $0.00
Total valid votes 11,160 100.00
Total rejected ballots 59 0.53 −0.05
Turnout 11,219 51.89 −10.87
Registered voters 21,621
Source: Elections BC[8][9]
2017 British Columbia general election: Skeena
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Liberal Ellis Ross 6,772 52.23 +9.02 $60,169
New Democratic Bruce Alan Bidgood 5,613 43.29 −4.42 $53,814
Land Air Water Merv Ritchie 580 4.48
Total valid votes 12,965 100.00
Total rejected ballots 75 0.58 +0.03
Turnout 13,040 62.76 +6.91
Registered voters 20,779
Source: Elections BC[10]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Liberals win new seat in northern B.C. in tight Skeena riding". CBC News, May 9, 2017.
  2. ^ Yuzda, Liza and Denise Wong (February 7, 2022). "Kevin Falcon names BC Liberal critics, will run in byelection for legislature seat". CityNews. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  3. ^ Ellis Ross: Executive chief
  4. ^ 2014 Recipient: Chief Councillor Ellis Ross – Kitamaat Village
  5. ^ Leibel, Gerry (June 12, 2017). "Ellis Ross appointed to Christy's cabinet". Kitimat, BC: Northern Sentinel. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  6. ^ Staff, Kamloops This Week (August 20, 2021). "BC Liberal leadership race: A Q&A with candidate Ellis Ross". Kamloops, BC: Kamloops This Week. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  7. ^ "Ellis Ross leaves BC United to run for federal conservatives". Haida Gwaii Observer. January 22, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  8. ^ "Statement of Votes — 42nd Provincial General Election" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  9. ^ "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  10. ^ "Statement of Votes – 41st Provincial General Election – May 9, 2017" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
British Columbia provincial government of Christy Clark
Cabinet posts (2)
Predecessor Office Successor
Rich Coleman Minister Responsible for Housing
June 12, 2017–July 18, 2017
Selina Robinson
Rich Coleman Minister Responsible for Natural Gas Development
June 12, 2017–July 18, 2017
Ministry Abolished