Taylor Bachrach MP (born 1978[2]) is a Canadian New Democratic Party politician who was elected to represent the riding of Skeena—Bulkley Valley in the House of Commons of Canada in the 2019 Canadian federal election.[3] Prior to his election in the House of Commons, he served as the mayor of Smithers, British Columbia[4] from 2011 to 2019 and as a municipal councillor in the Village of Telkwa from 2008 to 2011.

Taylor Bachrach
Bachrach in 2019
Member of Parliament
for Skeena—Bulkley Valley
Assumed office
October 21, 2019
Preceded byNathan Cullen
Mayor of Smithers
In office
November 19, 2011 – November 3, 2019
Preceded byCress Farrow
Succeeded byGladys Atrill
Personal details
Born1978 (age 45–46)
Political partyNew Democratic Party
ResidenceSmithers, British Columbia[1]

Outside politics, Bachrach owned a communications business, Bachrach Communications.[5] He also served as the director of communications for the British Columbia chapter of the Sierra Club of Canada.[6]

Personal life

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Bachrach and his wife, Michelle, have two daughters, Ella and Maddie Bachrach.[7] He lives in Smithers.[8]

Federal politics

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At the 2019 Canadian federal election, Skeena—Bulkley Valley was an open seat as its MP, Nathan Cullen, chose not to seek re-election.[9][10] Bachrach won the party's nomination and subsequently held the seat for the NDP. He resigned as mayor of Smithers on November 3, 2019, to assume his new role as MP.[11] After he was elected federally, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh named him to be the party's critic for Infrastructure and Communities in the 43rd Canadian Parliament.[12]

After his re-election in the 2021 Canadian federal election, Bachrach became the critic for Transport and deputy critic for Infrastructure and Communities.[13]

On December 13, 2021, Bachrach tabled Bill C-210, the Right to Vote at 16 Act, which would amend the Canada Elections Act to lower the federal voting age in Canada from 18 to 16 years of age.[14]

On December 13, 2023, he tabled Bill C-371, the Rail Passenger Priority Act, which would amend the Canada Transportation Act to give passenger trains priority over freight rail.[15] Following the adjournment of the House of Commons for the holiday season, Bachrach embarked on The Canadian to learn more about and promote passenger rail in Canada.[16]

Electoral record

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Federal

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2021 Canadian federal election: Skeena—Bulkley Valley
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Taylor Bachrach 15,921 42.58 +1.68 $63,480.61
Conservative Claire Rattée 13,513 36.14 +2.94 $70,700.48
People's Jody Craven 2,888 7.72 +5.42 $0.00
Liberal Lakhwinder Jhaj 2,866 7.66 –3.94 $3,828.51
Green Adeana Young 1,406 3.76 –4.14 $8,424.51
Christian Heritage Rod Taylor 797 2.13 –1.17 $22,278.11
Total valid votes/expense limit 37,391 99.49 $131,940.03
Total rejected ballots 193 0.51 –0.10
Turnout 37,584 55.72 –6.98
Eligible voters 67,453
New Democratic hold Swing –0.63
Source: Elections Canada[17][18]
2019 Canadian federal election: Skeena—Bulkley Valley
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
New Democratic Taylor Bachrach 16,944 40.9 -10.18 $95,825.47
Conservative Claire Rattée 13,756 33.2 +8.41 $58,121.59
Liberal Dave Birdi 4,793 11.6 -7.12 $33,859.91
Green Mike Sawyer 3,280 7.9 +4.26 $7,326.84
Christian Heritage Rod Taylor 1,350 3.3 +1.53 $23,458.48
People's Jody Craven 940 2.3 $5,358.59
Independent Danny Nunes 164 0.4 none listed
Independent Merv Ritchie 157 0.4 none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit 41,384 100.0
Total rejected ballots 267 0.61
Turnout 41,651 62.7
Eligible voters 66,421
New Democratic hold Swing -9.30
Source: Elections Canada[19][20]

Municipal

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2018 Smithers mayoral election
Mayoral candidate Vote %
Taylor Bachrach (X) 1,137 64.02
Randy Bell 639 35.98
2014 Smithers mayoral election
Candidate Vote %
Taylor Bachrach (X) Acclaimed
2011 Smithers mayoral election
Candidate Vote %
Taylor Bachrach 896 58.52
Cress Farrow (X) 635 41.48

References

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  1. ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  2. ^ Smith, Robyn (August 20, 2012). "Boy Mayor on a Roll". The Tyee. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  3. ^ "Canada election results: Skeena—Bulkley Valley". Global News. October 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  4. ^ Hewitt, Trevor (August 27, 2019). "Bachrach takes leave of absence as mayor to focus on campaign trail". The Interior News. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  5. ^ Smith, Robyn (August 20, 2012). "Boy Mayor on a Roll". The Tyee. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  6. ^ Sierra Club of Canada BC Chapter Annual Report 2005 (Report). 2006. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  7. ^ "Taylor Bachrach Skeena—Bulkley Valley". Canada's NDP. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  8. ^ "Candidate Questions: Taylor Bachrach – Skeena-Bulkley Valley". CKPGToday.ca. September 10, 2021. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  9. ^ Zussman, Richard (March 1, 2019). "NDP MP Nathan Cullen not running in the 2019 federal election". Global News. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  10. ^ Tasker, John Paul (March 1, 2019). "NDP MP Nathan Cullen isn't running again". CBC News. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  11. ^ "Bachrach officially resigns as Smithers mayor". Northern Sentinel. November 5, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
  12. ^ "Bachrach named Critic for Infrastructure and Communities". Haida Gwaii Observer. November 28, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  13. ^ Maslin, Cael. "Taylor Bachrach appointed to a couple of new positions". CFNR Network. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  14. ^ "C-210 (44-1) - LEGISinfo - Parliament of Canada". www.parl.ca. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  15. ^ "C-371 An Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act (passenger rail service)". LEGISinfo. Parliament of Canada. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  16. ^ "This B.C. MP is taking a 4,500-km train ride to try to improve passenger rail in Canada". cbc.ca. CBC News. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  17. ^ "Election Night Results — Skeena—Bulkley Valley". Elections Canada. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  18. ^ "Final Election Expenses Limits for Candidates — 44th Canadian Federal Election". Elections Canada. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  19. ^ "List of confirmed candidates". Elections Canada. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  20. ^ "Election Night Results". Elections Canada. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
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