Conservative Lorne Doerkson wins BC election, set to become premier

Doerkson's rapid rise from a little‑known MLA to premier‑elect follows a snap election called by NDP leader David Eby.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 25 Oct 2026 10:34:23 GMT

Lorne Doerkson, interim leader of the British Columbia Conservative Party, defeated incumbent premier David Eby and the BC NDP in the provincial election held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, according to CityNews and Daily Hive.

What happened

Voting began on October 16 with advance polls running through October 21, and the main election day took place on October 24 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. across all 93 ridings. As of 8:52 p.m. on election night, the Conservatives were leading in 63 ridings, the NDP in 29, and the Green Party in one, a tally that gives the Conservatives a clear majority (they need 47 seats). Doerkson’s party is projected to form a majority government, making him the province’s 38th premier and the first Conservative premier since Simon Fraser Tolmie left office in 1933.

What the reports add

CityNews highlighted Doerkson’s ascent from a little‑known MLA for Cariboo‑Chilcotin to party leader and premier‑elect in less than five weeks, noting it as one of the fastest successful climbs to power via a general election in Canadian history. Daily Hive provided the exact seat counts and emphasized that the Conservatives now hold 63 of the 93 seats, a majority that surpasses the 47‑seat threshold.

What was said

CityNews reported that David Eby called the snap election two years early, saying he needed a stronger mandate to address economic uncertainty linked to U.S. tariffs and a “stalled out” legislature. Daily Hive did not quote Eby directly but referenced his decision to call the election.

How it came about

The election was called on September 20 after interim Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson took over the party following Kerry‑Lynne Findlay’s resignation. Earlier Felo coverage noted Doerkson’s pledge of an Anti‑Extortion Action Plan (bc-conservatives-anti-extortion-plan) and the start of voting on October 16 (bc-election-voting). A September 26 appearance with former Liberal premier Christy Clark at a BC Lions game signaled Doerkson’s growing public profile before the campaign (doerkson-clark-attend-bc-lions-game).

Key facts

Lorne Doerkson defeated incumbent premier David Eby in the BC provincial election. (toronto.citynews.ca)
The Conservatives lead in 63 ridings, giving them a majority of the 93 seats. (dailyhive.com)
Doerkson will become BC's 38th premier, the first Conservative premier since 1933. (dailyhive.com)