Conservatives win B.C. election with majority as Doerkson becomes premier
Lorne Doerkson is projected to become B.C.'s next premier after the Conservative Party won a majority government in Saturday's provincial election.
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The B.C. Conservatives are projected to win a majority government, with interim leader Lorne Doerkson set to become the province's 38th premier — the first Conservative premier since Simon Fraser Tolmie left office in 1933.
With ballots still being counted as of early Sunday morning, Conservatives were leading in 63 ridings, NDP in 29, and the Green Party in 1 of the province's 93 seats. Doerkson needed 47 seats for a majority.
The result caps a remarkable five-week turnaround. Doerkson was appointed interim Conservative leader on September 20, just two days before Premier David Eby called a snap election — a gamble that appears to have backfired. Eby cited economic threats from U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war and the need for a stronger mandate, but the election call came as the Conservatives were in open turmoil. The party had hemorrhaged seats since the 2024 election, with MLAs quitting or being removed under then-leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay over internal conflicts. Many defectors had moved to the CentreBC party, a fiscally conservative, socially progressive alternative. Findlay resigned two days before Eby's election call.
Doerkson, born in New Westminster and raised in Surrey, worked in newspaper publishing in Williams Lake and financial planning before entering provincial politics. He was first elected in the Cariboo-Chilcoton riding in 2020 under the BC Liberals banner. When the party became BC United, he crossed to the Conservatives in May 2024, initially bringing the caucus to just three MLAs. He was re-elected under the Conservative banner in 2024 and has since led the party's reunification, with several former defectors returning to caucus for the campaign.
The 2024 election had left the legislature deeply fractured: NDP 47 seats, Conservatives 44, Greens 2. The razor-thin NDP majority meant government business often ground to a halt, with MLAs sometimes forced to vote from hospital beds or hours after giving birth. By the time the legislature dissolved for this election, Conservatives were down to 29 seats officially.
Final seat counts are still being tallied. As of the latest count, no statements had been received from Doerkson, Eby, or the NDP.
By the numbers
How many seats did the B.C. Conservatives lead in as ballots were being counted on Sunday morning?
The B.C. Conservatives were leading in 63 ridings as of early Sunday morning, October 25, 2026, while ballots were still being counted from Saturday's provincial election.
How many seats did Lorne Doerkson need for a majority government?
Lorne Doerkson needed 47 seats out of B.C.'s 93 seats for a majority government.
When was Lorne Doerkson appointed interim Conservative leader?
Lorne Doerkson was appointed interim Conservative leader on September 20, 2026, just two days before Premier David Eby called a snap election.
