The two young women who could put an unlikely face on B.C. Conservatives' new government nationalpost.com/news/the-two-y…

Skeena was never a guaranteed Conservative seat. For almost a decade, we worked to change that.

In 2024, @ClaireRattee became the first BC Conservative MLA to be elected in Skeena. Now she’s won again, this time helping form government.

Skeena wasn’t handed to us. We built it.

Grateful.

We did it.

Congratulations Premier-elect @LDoerkson, the entire @Conservative_BC team who will bring positive change to BC, and to @katy_merrifield for running a spectacular election campaign.

Wow! What a night for conservatives in BC & a repudiation of the cynical, out touch, economically disastrous politics of the NDP.

There are so many ppl to congratulate but a shout out to a few. @katy_merrifield ran a great campaign - campaign management is not for the weak - and she aced it. @brookepigott with her steady hand & pulse of the electorate. Lastly to my good friend @ClaireRattee on getting re-elected in Skeena by a much stronger mandate. BC is in good hands with @LDoerkson and his incredible team.

#cdnpoli #bcpoli

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My heart is so incredibly full today.

I had the privilege of visiting Skeena Middle School ahead of their upcoming student vote, and I am still struggling to find the words to describe just how much this experience meant to me.

The turnout was incredible, the questions ightful, and the enthusiasm these students showed was genuinely inspiring.

But what happened afterwards is what I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

So many came up to speak with me, share their thoughts, and hand me little notes and drawings. I’ve included a photo of just a few of them, including a beautiful portrait one young girl drew of me. I am absolutely blown away by her artistic talent.

And then there were the conversations.

Several young girls pulled me aside to tell me that they looked up to me, saw themselves reflected in me, or wanted to be like me when they grew up.

I cannot begin to express what those words meant to me. Some of the conversations genuinely moved me to tears.

When I first entered politics at 21 years old, I didn’t look or sound like what most people expected a politician to be. I was young, tattooed, outspoken, and didn’t come from a traditional political background. I had lived through challenges that many people would have assumed disqualified me from ever holding public office.

But I refused to believe that my past, appearance, age, or anyone else’s expectations should determine what I was capable of accomplishing.

One of the reasons I have been so determined to do this work is because I wanted other young people, other women and girls, and other people who have never quite fit the mould to know that there is a place for them in this world.

Their voices deserve to be heard. Their experiences have value. That they don’t need to change who they are to make a difference.

Sometimes you have to fight your way into the room. Demand a seat at the table when nobody is willing to offer you one. Stand alone, speak up when it’s uncomfortable, and refuse to back down when people tell you that you don’t belong.

But it matters that you do. Because the world needs more people who are willing to challenge expectations, stand up for what they believe in, and make room for those who come after them.

My life motto has always been, “If not me, who?”

And I continue to live by those words.

I will always fight for the underdog. For the person who feels overlooked, unheard, or underestimated. For the people who need someone in their corner. I know I won’t win every battle, and I won’t always get everything right, but I will never stop trying.

Today was a sobering and deeply emotional reminder of why that matters.

Because these young people are our future leaders. They’re the next generation of advocates, artists, entrepreneurs, community builders, and elected representatives. They have incredible potential, and they deserve every opportunity to realize it.

And if even one young girl looks at me and realizes that she doesn’t have to fit somebody else’s definition of what a leader should look like, then I know that at least some of what I’ve fought so hard for has made a difference.

To every single student who took the time to speak with me, ask a question, share a drawing, or offer a kind word today: thank you. From the bottom of my heart.

You have no idea how much I needed those words today, or how much they meant to me. You reminded me why I started this journey in the first place, and why, even on the hardest days, this work is worth doing.

I am so incredibly proud to know that I’ve been able to make even a small difference in some of your lives. But I hope you know that today, you made an enormous difference in mine.

And to the teachers and staff, thank you for creating opportunities for these young people to engage with democracy, ask difficult questions, and recognize the power of their own voices.

I don’t talk about addiction as an abstract policy issue. I lived it.

At 17, I was struggling with addiction and living on the streets of Vancouver. I know what it feels like to be cold, hungry and exhausted, and still have drugs matter more than anything else. I also know there were times when I was simply not capable of making decisions in my own best interest.

But I also know what recovery can make possible.

Someone believed I was capable of more. I found purpose, went to treatment and began rebuilding my life. Today, that life is almost unrecognizable.

That’s why I will never accept that leaving people trapped in addiction is compassion.

Every person we see suffering on our streets has a story that isn’t finished yet. Sometimes compassion means intervention. It means treatment, recovery, responsibility, connection and purpose.

Keeping someone alive matters. But keeping someone alive is not enough. We need to give people a way out.

I found mine. I want every British Columbian struggling with addiction to have the opportunity to find theirs. I’ll have a lot more to say on this in the coming weeks.

📍 Live from Vancouver-Yaletown with @LDoerkson & @ClaireRattee

Conservatives are standing up for residents, businesses, and families who deserve to feel safe walking through their own neighbourhoods.

It’s time to take back control and deliver real quality of life for Vanc://t.co/ao804R6362

BC Election: As voters begin to lock in, Conservatives hold five-point lead over gaining NDP

angusreid.org/bc-election-as…

NEW - @Conservative_BC announces a $50m emergency fund to help address rural ER closures as they emerge, plus a commission of experts within 100 days of forming gov, with healthcare professionals, to identify fixes to the system within a universal, publicly-funded system.

We hit the ground running the moment the writ dropped and we aren’t slowing down. @ClaireRattee’s work in the legislature is not done. And, once again, I have the honor of running her campaign. Donate or volunteer at clairerattee.ca.

David Eby’s cynical snap election was totally unnecessary.

What is necessary is the need for a change of government in BC.

Record deficits, fleeing investment capital, credit downgrade after downgrade.

It’s time for BC to elect a serious government committed to fiscal responsibility.

@elie_mcn Claire is one of the strongest BC legislators of her generation. She's been a force on the mental health and addiction file. While David Eby is fighting for his job, Claire is fighting for the people of Skeena. @ClaireRattee

Thank you, John.

Let’s go.

Proud of you @ClaireRattee.

Lost in all the election speculation shuffle but worth the reminder vancouversun.com/opinion/column… via @VancouverSun

MLA Rattée: “Onwards. I’m Still Fighting for Skeena.”
September 20, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SKEENA, B.C. – MLA Claire Rattée released the following statement today:
“Under David Eby’s leadership, British Columbia has been driven deep into debt. Families are struggling to unities face growing uncertainty and division over land and title. Emergency rooms are closing or
operating beyond capacity. Too many people can no longer afford to build a life in this province.
“Now, David Eby is considering an unnecessary and costly election because he hoped to capitalize on internal
turmoil within the Conservative Party of British Columbia.
“That opportunity has passed.
“Today’s leadership change gives our MLAs the opportunity to come together, chart a clear path forward and build
a unified, credible government-in-waiting capable of defeating David Eby.
“No part of the conservative movement can be excluded from that work. Our movement includes people with a
wide range of views who have supported different leaders. We must now put the past behind us and operate
according to one simple principle: if you want to defeat David Eby and build a better British Columbia, you are
welcome on this team.
“There can be no more petty disagreements, score-settling or purity tests. British Columbians expect us to rise
above internal divisions and focus on the serious challenges facing our province.
“British Columbia needs a broad coalition united by a commitment to make life more affordable, end the addiction
crisis, restore reliable health care and rebuild the promise of our province after years of NDP mismanagement.
“I will run in the next election as a BC Conservative. Every action I have taken, and every action I take going
forward, will be guided by one purpose: fighting for the people of Skeena and their right to a well-paying job, an
affordable place to live, reliable health care and a government that listens to them.
“My message to every British Columbian who shares those goals, regardless of how you have voted in the past, is
simple: join us.
“And my message to David Eby is equally clear: think carefully before calling an opportunistic election. Do not
mistake the growing pains of our movement for weakness. We are coming together, we are focused, and we will
hold your government accountable on behalf of the people we represent.
“I would like to thank Kerry-Lynne Findlay for her service, and I am looking optimistically towards the future.
“Onwards. I’m still fighting for Skeena.”

However this plays out, I would not bet against @ClaireRattee being the last one standing