Politics

B.C. premier-designate Doerkson announces transition team and policy priorities

The premier-designate says his government will launch an independent financial review and a commission on emergency rooms.

By Marcus Lowe, Politics Reporter
October 25, 2026

VANCOUVER · Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson says his new B.C. Conservative government will launch an independent review of provincial finances, set up a commission on keeping emergency rooms open and make a plan to lower taxes when the legislature returns. He is moving quickly into the transition phase just hours after his party was elected with about two-thirds of the province's 93 seats. Doerkson has named Kim Henderson, a former deputy to the premier in previous Liberal governments, to lead his transition team on a volunteer basis. He said when his government is sworn in, it will be ready to "hit the ground running." Doerkson said he has spoken to the lieutenant-governor and that Henderson's experience, judgment and leadership will be invaluable.

Henderson will take an unpaid leave from her post as interim vice-president at the pipeline firm Trans Mountain Corp. She served for more than a decade under former Liberal premiers Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell, holding roles including deputy minister, cabinet secretary and head of the B.C. public service. In his victory speech on Saturday, Doerkson sketched out a vision for big changes, including a tax cut and freeze, a doubling of natural gas production by 2032 and speeding up permitting and mining exploration. "We will cut red tape like it's never been cut before," Doerkson told jubilant supporters in Vancouver.

Doerkson, from Williams Lake, singled out rural and northern B.C. residents, saying it has been a long time since they have had a premier from where they live. "For a very long time, a lot of British Columbians have felt like Victoria forgot about them, like the map maybe stopped at Hope, but tonight the whole map counts," he said. He added that under his government they "will never be an afterthought." He said the trade conflict with the United States is the biggest economic threat, and among his first calls will be to the prime minister and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to get the Pacific Link pipeline working group moving. Outgoing Premier David Eby announced his resignation as NDP leader, telling supporters the loss "breaks my heart, and I accept full responsibility for that outcome. He said he had called Doerkson to concede and wish him the best. "This is an important time, this is a critical time for our province and our country, and I hope for all British Columbians that he protects British Columbians and looks after us and looks after the province," Eby said.

The Conservative victory marks a remarkable turnaround for a party that appeared to be in disarray just five weeks ago, when former leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned amid a caucus revolt. Eby's election call catalyzed the Conservatives, and a number of MLAs who had quit the caucus quickly returned after Doerkson was appointed interim leader. While a few ridings remain undeclared, the Conservatives were leading or elected in 64 ridings on Sunday. Preliminary results show the popular vote went to the Conservatives with about 48 per cent, while the NDP won about 37 per cent and the Greens 11 per cent.

The NDP has been reduced to about 27 seats and the Greens won two, with Leader Emily Lowan securing a seat on Vancouver Island. Preliminary turnout was about 1.8 million, representing about 48 per cent of registered voters. B.C. appears to be on track for a record low turnout for a provincial election, with preliminary results hovering around 45.5 per cent. Some key priorities in the Conservative platform include repealing B.C.'s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, ending the SOGI 123 learning resource in schools, and cracking down on public drug use while prioritizing treatment and recovery. The party has also promised major infrastructure projects, including building a 10-lane bridge to replace the George Massey Tunnel. Nosy Mag reported in October that the Conservatives pledged to scrap the NDP's tunnel plan and build a bridge if elected.

Doerkson addressed Indigenous people directly in his speech. "To our First Nations: This future is one we will build together as partners with the certainty all of us need," he said. "First Nations built lives and nations here for thousands of years." But he also told the crowd, to cheers, that he believed "in the protection of private-property rights and parks that are open to all British Columbians." Green Party Leader Emily Lowan said her small caucus has inherited an enormous responsibility. "Over the next four years, our job is to be a voice for the many people who will be harmed by their policies, and that is going to require some serious movement building," Lowan said in her victory speech.

With files from Castanet, CBC News and Global News