Premier Eby won't rule out snap election amid B.C. Conservative caucus collapse
The NDP leader dodged a direct answer Tuesday after seven Conservatives quit the caucus in recent weeks, cutting the party's seat count to 37.
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Premier David Eby declined to rule out calling a snap election Tuesday amid ongoing fracturing of the B.C. Conservative caucus.
When pressed directly at a Burnaby news conference on September 1, Eby said: "We're preparing for the fall session … I understand that the Conservatives are in significant chaos. Our focus remains on delivering for British Columbians, and that's what we're going to continue our focus on." He did not clarify his position when asked to do so.
In recent weeks, seven B.C. Conservative MLAs have left the caucus, all citing problems with new Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay. The party now has 14 fewer MLAs than the 44 elected in 2024.
One of those departures involved Reann Gasper, the former Abbotsford-Mission MLA, who resigned her seat on August 22 to allow Findlay to run in a byelection. Eby called that byelection for Saturday, September 26, saying Gasper "bluntly, completely failed to serve the people of Abbotsford-Mission." The NDP will run Pam Alexis, the former Agriculture and Food minister and ex-mayor of Mission, against Findlay.
The facts
How many B.C. Conservative MLAs have left the caucus recently?
Seven B.C. Conservative MLAs have departed in recent weeks, all citing problems with new Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
How many seats does the B.C. Conservative Party now hold?
The B.C. Conservative Party now has 37 seats, down from the 44 they won in the 2024 election.
When is the Abbotsford-Mission byelection?
The byelection for Abbotsford-Mission is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Who will run for the NDP in the Abbotsford-Mission byelection?
Pam Alexis, the former Agriculture and Food minister and ex-mayor of Mission, will run for the NDP against Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
