David Eby’s snap election gamble has handed the B.C. Conservative Party a majority government, CTV News declared first Saturday night.
Interim leader Lorne Doerkson’s party was leading or elected in 62 of the province’s 93 ridings when he gave his victory speech to a roaring crowd.
“We are going to super-charge British Columbia,” he said.
Doerkson will lead B.C.’s first Conservative government in nearly 100 years—while Eby announced he would step down as B.C. NDP leader.
Here’s a recap of Saturday’s historic election.
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Key details
- B.C. Conservatives win majority, CTV News declares
- David Eby stepping down as NDP leader
- Live election results can be found here
- First B.C. Conservative government in nearly a century
- Interim party leader will now be premier
Live interactive election results are here
Explore our riding-by-riding interactive map to track real-time vote counts, seat totals, leading candidates and the races that will shape B.C.'s next government as results roll in across the province. Visit our election headquarters on CTVNewsVancouver.ca for the real-time results.
‘We’ll be back,’ says Adrian Dix
Election night was “immensely disappointing,” but also a familiar feeling for Adrian Dix.
The longtime NDP MLA was easily re-elected in his Vancouver-Renfrew riding, but he watched his party lose badly in an election it called two years early.
“It was a mistake to call the election. Obviously it was,” said Dix, who was leader of the NDP when the party lost to the B.C. Liberals in 2013.
He spoke to CTV News Vancouver’s Penny Daflos at NDP headquarters Saturday night and expressed sympathy for soon-to-be-former leader David Eby.
“I’m, in one sense, uniquely qualified,” Dix said. “I’ve been a party leader who’s lost a general election. Your sense of responsibility for the people, for the candidates, for the issues, for all the things that you aspire to do, is enormous. It’s a real burden. I feel for David tonight, of course, along with all of my colleagues who didn’t succeed.”
Dix also recalled the party’s electoral history, noting that it was reduced to just two seats in 2001, before rallying four years later in an election he described as a near-victory.
“We’ll be back. You bet we’ll be back,” Dix said. “I give full props to Lorne Doerkson and congratulate him on his victory. But it was a victory without substance. It was a victory without a clear platform or agenda, and so we’re going to need a strong opposition to hold him to account.”
CTV News
Danielle Smith congratulates Doerkseon
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is congratulating B.C. premier-designate Lorne Doerksen on his Conservative party’s decisive election victory.
“Alberta and British Columbia share strong economic ties and common interests, from trade and energy to transportation and economic growth,” Smith wrote in a post on social media.
The Alberta leader said she looks forward to working with Doerksen on priorities shared by the neighbouring provinces, including “unleashing Canada’s potential as an energy superpower.”
Smith also thanked outgoing NDP Leader David Eby for “his service as premier.”
“While we did not always see eye to eye, I appreciated the opportunity to work together on issues important to both provinces,” Smith wrote.
‘I’m scared,’ Lowan says of Conservative victory
B.C. Green Leader Emily Lowan vowed that her caucus will hold the future Conservative government to account in her victory speech.
As of 10:30 p.m., Jeremy Valeriote in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky was the only other Green hopeful projected to win.
“We are the only party who is equipped to stand against the Conservatives and their existence,” she told supporters. “Over the next four years, our job is to be a voice for the many people who be who will be harmed by their policies, and that is going to require some serious movement building.”
Looking forward, Lowan admitted she’s “scared” for what’s to come with a Conservative majority government.
“Franky, we know what's coming: cuts to health care, child care, public services that people count on, attacks to the rights of trans people, Indigenous communities, and immigrants, and a government that will put fossil fuel profits ahead of our future and billionaires ahead of workers,” she said.
“Know this: the B.C. Greens and the movement we have built will stand with marginalized people, with workers, and with everyone who depends on strong public services, we will stand with you and we will fight alongside you.”
Eby retains Vancouver seat
NDP Leader David Eby was narrowly re-elected in his riding of Vancouver-Point Grey, CTV News projects.
Eby was poised to defeat Conservative challenger Alex McMillan by fewer than 550 votes with 70 of 71 polls reporting results shortly before 10:30 p.m.
Eby has held the riding since 2013, when he defeated then-premier Christy Clark of the B.C. Liberals in a stunning upset.
He would go on to become premier in 2022, after the late John Horgan stepped aside as leader of the New Democrats.
Clark herself attributed the close race in Vancouver-Point Grey to McMillan’s aggressive campaigning, telling CTV News he “worked really, really, really hard, and he's a very appealing candidate to people in that community.”
Eby resigned as the NDP leader tonight, five weeks after calling a snap election that proved a foolish gamble for his government.
Eby told supporters he accepts responsibility for the party’s defeat by a Conservative majority led by premier-designate Lorne Doerkson.
“It breaks my heart,” Eby said. “It has been a wild ride, but my family has paid a very significant cost for this work, and I am very keen to spend some time with my kids, with my wife, with our friends.”
B.C. NDP Leader David Eby pauses while addressing supporters on election night, in Vancouver, on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Doerkson gives impassioned victory speech
Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson was visibly elated as he took the stage to deliver his victory speech, jumping up and down as fireworks went off around him.
He began his speech by exclaiming: “B.C. is definitely blue!”
“Together we seized this opportunity you guys, and together we voted for a better British Columbia, and from here I will do everything in my power to get British Columbia back on track,” he said.
Doerkson acknowledged David Eby and thanked him for years of sacrificing time with his family. He also congratulated Green Leader Emily Lowan on her “incredible campaign” and winning in her riding.
He said his plan is to bring more investment capital to B.C. and vowed there will be a business summit in Vancouver next year that will be the “envy of the world.”
He promised supporters that the Conservative government would “cut red tape like it has never been cut before,” double LNG production, cut income tax by $1,000 and introduce no new taxes.
“Here's what I want: a British Columbia that is the most prosperous province in this country, the place where investment goes first, and the place the best people choose to build their lives. I want a B.C. where a hard day's work gets you a family home and a future right here in this beautiful province,” he said.
B.C. Conservative interim Leader Lorne Doerkson arrives to address supporters on election night, in Vancouver, on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
Green Leader Emily Lowan elected
B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan has won Saanich North and the Islands, CTV News declares, keeping the riding in Green hands for the fourth consecutive election.
Rob Botterell won the district in 2024 but opted not to seek re-election.
Lowan became leader of the Greens after succeeding Sonia Furstenau last fall.
Lowan became leader of the Greens after succeeding Sonia Furstenau last fall.
At 26 years old, Lowan was already the youngest-ever leader of a Canadian political party with an elected member in the legislature. Now, she’ll have a seat herself.
CTV News
Eby resigns as NDP leader
David Eby said he accepts full responsibility for the NDP’s resounding election defeat Saturday.
“Some of the hardest working MLAs I know for their communities were not elected tonight,” Eby said,
“It breaks my heart, and I accept full responsibility for that outcome.”
In a somber concession speech, Eby said he wished premier-designate Lorne Doerkson and the Conservatives his best—and that he meant that “sincerely.”
He has also resigned as the leader of the NDP saying he does so with a “heavy heart.”
“It has been a wild ride, but my family has paid a very significant cost for this work, and I am very keen to spend some time with my kids, with my wife, with our friends—and not worry if someone is videotaping me while I am singing karaoke.”
Sturko loses seat
Elenore Sturko, leader of CentreBC, has lost her seat. As of 9:30 p.m., she was in third place in the race.
The outgoing mayor of White Rock, Megan Knight, will be Surrey South’s next MLA.
Sturko was elected as a B.C. Liberal MLA in 2022 and crossed the floor to the B.C. Conservatives in 2024, before being kicked out of the party by then-leader John Rustad.
She was the only legislator to stay with CentreBC when several MLAs who had defected went back to the Conservatives.
MLA Elenore Sturko listens during a news conference after former BC United MLA Teresa Wat joined the Conservatives, in Richmond, B.C., on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Eby fights to keep Vancouver seat
Early results from the Vancouver-Point Grey riding show NDP Leader David Eby’s snap election gamble could cost him more than just his government.
The New Democrat leader is in a tight race locally against Conservative challenger Alex McMillan. Less than 400 votes separated the candidates before 9:30 p.m., when 54 of 71 polls were reporting results.
Eby currently has 42.9 per cent of the vote count, with McMillan holding 40.4 per cent.
Green candidate Beatrice Sharpe has garnered 13.2 per cent of the ballots counted, while CentreBC candidate Michael Davis has 3.5 per cent.
Carney offers congratulations
Prime Minister Mark Carney is congratulating premier-elect Lorne Doerkson after the B.C. Conservatives swept to victory in the snap election.
“I look forward to working with you as premier to get more homes built, unleash our full potential as an energy superpower, and build a stronger British Columbia and a stronger Canada for all,” Carney wrote, in a statement.
Carney also thanked the outgoing premier—wishing David Eby the best in his “next chapter.”
OneBC’s Dallas Brodie loses seat
OneBC leader Dallas Brodie has been defeated in Vancouver-Quilchena, CTV News declares.
The controversial former Conservative MLA was expelled from that party over comments she made about residential school survivors.
As of 9:15 p.m., Brodie had won just 481 votes in the riding.
Conservative candidate and former B.C. director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation Carson Binda had received more than 6,400 votes, and will win the seat, CTV News declares.
New government, some familiar faces
Despite election results that delivered a strong rebuke of David Eby’s snap election call, the New Democrats will be sending some familiar faces back to the legislature.
CTV News is projecting multiple members of Eby’s cabinet have won their seats, including Adrian Dix, Niki Sharma and Nina Krieger.
It remains to be seen if Eby’s gamble has lost him his seat.
It remains to be seen if Eby’s gamble has lost him his seat.
‘Worst political blunder,’ Clark says
Former premier Christy Clark says Eby’s decision to call a snap election was “the worst political blunder.”
She said voters warmed up to Lorne Doerkson, who appealed as a “straight up, plain spoken bareback bronco rider in Williams Lake.”
“I always say if I had a daughter, he'd be the kind of guy I'd want my daughter to marry,” she said during CTV News’ election special.
She predicted at the beginning of the show that the Conservatives would pick up more than 60 seats, and CTV News is currently projecting the party will indeed do so.
“I thought that people were going to think I was crazy,” Clark said. “As I said, it’s a real change election.”
CTV News projects Conservative majority
David Eby’s snap election gamble has handed the B.C. Conservative Party a majority government, CTV News projects.
While some ridings have yet to be declared, interim leader Lorne Doerkson’s Conservatives have secured enough seats to relegate the B.C. NDP back to the Opposition benches after nine years in power.
CentreBC leader praises ‘absolute banger of a campaign’
Elenore Sturko has no illusions her party will form government, and it will indeed be an uphill battle for her to be re-elected, but she’s proud of what her party has accomplished in such a short time.
“We’re achieving our goals that we have set out for ourselves in this campaign, which is to introduce British Columbians to CentreBC, to put forward an amazing platform and to greet people on the doors and let them know who we are,” Sturko told CTV News reporter Shannon Paterson.
Sturko became leader of the new CentreBC party on the day the writ dropped for the election. Over the next weeks, she campaigned as an alternative for voters who felt the Conservatives and NDP were too extreme.
“I've only been a member of this party for 30 days, OK? We ran an absolute banger of a campaign on a shoestring budget. I couldn't be more proud of the team that we've assembled,” she said.
Clark on wrangling ‘kooky’ coalition
The B.C. Conservatives have had four leaders in two years, the party marred by infighting among an ideologically diverse group of MLAs.
Former NDP MLA Nathan Cullen said those troubles are unlikely to subside should Lorne Doerkson become the next premier.
“Ask Premier (Danielle) Smith in Alberta. Handling this coalition and governing with this coalition is super tricky,” Cullen said as the first results were coming in.
Christy Clark said in her experience as B.C. Liberal premier, power is a strong motivator for people to set aside their differences.
“We had some kooky, you know, unusual folks,” Clark said. “And people stay together, partly because when they win the election, they want to stay in power. That’s ultimately what politicians are always trying to do.”
Eby watches results come in
With the polls closed and his political future on the line, NDP Leader David Eby is watching the results come in with his wife, children and in-laws.
B.C. NDP Leader David Eby, his wife Cailey Lynch, right, children Iva, 7, Gwen, 2, and Ezra, 12, and Lynch's parents Kay Armstrong, left, and Alex Lynch, second left, sit together while waiting for results to begin coming in on election night, in Vancouver, on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
'Much better place': Rustad
The man who led the B.C. Conservatives to within a hair’s breadth of forming government in 2024 said he thinks the party is on the verge of another historic win.
Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad spoke to CTV News ahead of the polls closing, saying he’ll be “thrilled” if the party he revived forms government for the first time in nearly a century.
Rustad said he thinks Eby’s snap election call ultimately united the right.
“I was thrilled to see that as the end result, even though we had to go through that kind of turmoil. We're in a much better place here tonight. I think we're in a much better place going forward,” Rustad said.
Rustad is not seeking re-election. He was ousted as party leader in 2025 and then kicked out of caucus under the tumultuous tenure of leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
He was welcomed back after Doerkson became interim leader.
“That was a very challenging time, and it was very emotional time for me. And it did actually take quite a toll in terms of going through that process,” Rustad said.
“But, you know, we're on the verge of maybe making history here tonight.”
Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad spoke to CTV News ahead of the polls closing, saying he’ll be “thrilled” if the party he revived forms government for the first time in nearly a century.
Rustad said he thinks Eby’s snap election call ultimately united the right.
“I was thrilled to see that as the end result, even though we had to go through that kind of turmoil. We're in a much better place here tonight. I think we're in a much better place going forward,” Rustad said.
Rustad is not seeking re-election. He was ousted as party leader in 2025 and then kicked out of caucus under the tumultuous tenure of leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
He was welcomed back after Doerkson became interim leader.
“That was a very challenging time, and it was very emotional time for me. And it did actually take quite a toll in terms of going through that process,” Rustad said.
“But, you know, we're on the verge of maybe making history here tonight.”
Polls closed
The polls are officially closed. Results will start coming in shortly.
Stay here to get live updates and results as the votes are counted.
Brodie's challenger 'cautiously optimistic'
A B.C. Conservative candidate arriving at the party's election night event in Vancouver says the mood is "cautiously optimistic" as polls are set to close.
Carson Binda, the Conservative candidate for Vancouver-Quilchena opposite former party member and current OneBC interim leader Dallas Brodie, says people are "eager for change" and all candidates are "100 per cent" behind interim leader Lorne Doerkson.
Binda says he does not want to "count our chickens before they hatch," but the local campaign isn't concerned about Brodie splitting the vote as the Conservatives "had a hard time finding OneBC supporters."
‘Nobody mentioned Trump’
B.C. NDP Leader David Eby justified his snap election call by pointing to the challenges posed by U.S. President Donald Trump. But a recent poll suggests Trump has not registered with voters as an election issue.
A year ago, homelessness and housing topped the list of concerns among B.C. voters, followed by the economy, health care, the environment and public safety, according to a Research Co. survey.
In a follow-up survey this month, the polling firm found the economy had moved into first place, with housing and homelessness dropping to second.
Health care ranked third, followed by crime and public safety, then government accountability — an issue that crops up with electors when there are concerns about the incumbent government.
“This has become a referendum on economic management,” said Research Co. president Mario Canseco.
Two issues notably absent from the list, Canseco said, were the environment and Trump.
“We spoke to 802 people, nobody mentioned Trump,” he said.
A year ago, homelessness and housing topped the list of concerns among B.C. voters, followed by the economy, health care, the environment and public safety, according to a Research Co. survey.
In a follow-up survey this month, the polling firm found the economy had moved into first place, with housing and homelessness dropping to second.
Health care ranked third, followed by crime and public safety, then government accountability — an issue that crops up with electors when there are concerns about the incumbent government.
“This has become a referendum on economic management,” said Research Co. president Mario Canseco.
Two issues notably absent from the list, Canseco said, were the environment and Trump.
“We spoke to 802 people, nobody mentioned Trump,” he said.
How the count works
Not all of the votes in B.C.’s 2026 snap election will be counted tonight.
Ballots cast at polling stations — both on election day and during advance voting — will be counted once polls close at 8 p.m. PT, as will those cast at electoral offices.
Advance ballots will be tallied using electron tabulators, while votes cast today will be counted by hand.
Also being counted tonight are ballots from what Elections B.C. calls “special voting opportunities,” which are arranged for various groups with “unique needs” — including deployed members of the military and people in prison.
The rest won’t be counted for two weeks.
That includes vote-by-mail ballots, ballots cast using assisted telephone voting, and various kinds of absentee ballots.
According to Elections B.C., the reason for the delay is so the agency can conduct “additional integrity checks on these ballots to ensure that only eligible voters vote, and that they only vote once.”
Why the lower advance voter turnout?
There were approximately 100,000 fewer advance voters this time compared to the previous election, and our panellists believe confusion around overlapping elections may be to blame.
“I don't know if my house is any indication, but I was getting voting notifications for a byelection, a civic election, and then a provincial election. And you wonder to what degree there was some measure of confusion,” former B.C. Liberal MLA Mike DeJong told the CTV News election special panel.
He added that incumbent governments typically prefer lower turnout and the opposition hopes for a high turnout, because the latter is an indication that voters want change.
“I think it was confusing to figure out. 'OK, I'm going to vote, and when am I going to do my next vote? Is it early voting? Is it on the day of?' All of that stuff,” former Liberal premier Christy Clark said.
“I think the fact that it was a snap election too also added to some of the confusion because it would mean that the campaigns wouldn't have had as much time to be on the voters, talking to the voters…people just weren’t ready in their heads to get all this.”
“I don't know if my house is any indication, but I was getting voting notifications for a byelection, a civic election, and then a provincial election. And you wonder to what degree there was some measure of confusion,” former B.C. Liberal MLA Mike DeJong told the CTV News election special panel.
He added that incumbent governments typically prefer lower turnout and the opposition hopes for a high turnout, because the latter is an indication that voters want change.
“I think it was confusing to figure out. 'OK, I'm going to vote, and when am I going to do my next vote? Is it early voting? Is it on the day of?' All of that stuff,” former Liberal premier Christy Clark said.
“I think the fact that it was a snap election too also added to some of the confusion because it would mean that the campaigns wouldn't have had as much time to be on the voters, talking to the voters…people just weren’t ready in their heads to get all this.”
Conservatives ‘cautiously optimistic’
The Conservatives are feeling good about their chances tonight, the party’s media relations director Alex Shiff told CTV News Vancouver’s Michele Brunoro at the campaign’s election headquarters in East Vancouver.
“Ultimately, of course, British Columbians are going to decide, but we’re feeling cautiously optimistic,” Shiff said. “Lorne ran a great campaign and we have great team, so we’re feeling pretty good tonight.”
He said the party leader spent the day with family and staff preparing for tonight’s gathering.
“Ultimately, of course, British Columbians are going to decide, but we’re feeling cautiously optimistic,” Shiff said. “Lorne ran a great campaign and we have great team, so we’re feeling pretty good tonight.”
He said the party leader spent the day with family and staff preparing for tonight’s gathering.
Conservative Party of B.C. media relations director Alex Shiff speaks to CTV News on election night. CTV News
Less than an hour until polls close
There's still time to have your say on who should form B.C.’s next government.
Polls close at 8 p.m. PT, but anyone lined up at a polling station by that time has the right to cast a ballot, no matter how long it takes.
“Once the last voter has left the voting place, initial count begins,” reads Elections B.C.’s voting guide.
Polls close at 8 p.m. PT, but anyone lined up at a polling station by that time has the right to cast a ballot, no matter how long it takes.
“Once the last voter has left the voting place, initial count begins,” reads Elections B.C.’s voting guide.
Clark predicts Conservative landslide
Former B.C. Liberal premier Christy Clark is predicting tonight will result in a safe Conservative majority government.
Clark, who has been campaigning with the Conservatives in Surrey, says the desire for political change is palpable on the street.
“People are really excited, and that generally helps the non-incumbents,” Clark said during the CTV News live election special.
“I think the Conservatives are going to win this election, and I'm going to call it at least 60 seats.”
The former two-term premier said her prediction is partially informed by recent polling she has seen, as well as by her assessment of the public's mood.
“It feels like a change election,” she said. “We had change elections in municipalities all across the province. When people want change, it doesn't just stop at one thing.”
Clark, who has been campaigning with the Conservatives in Surrey, says the desire for political change is palpable on the street.
“People are really excited, and that generally helps the non-incumbents,” Clark said during the CTV News live election special.
“I think the Conservatives are going to win this election, and I'm going to call it at least 60 seats.”
The former two-term premier said her prediction is partially informed by recent polling she has seen, as well as by her assessment of the public's mood.
“It feels like a change election,” she said. “We had change elections in municipalities all across the province. When people want change, it doesn't just stop at one thing.”
Green supporters arrive
Supporters have begun arriving at the B.C. Green Party's election night event in the Greater Victoria area, including outgoing MLA Rob Botterell.
Botterell decided not to seek re-election, clearing the way for Leader Emily Lowan to run.
He says he is proud of Lowan and the party's campaign after NDP Leader David Eby called a snap election.
The outgoing MLA says people in his riding have told him they are "totally impressed" with Lowan's poise and advocacy for Green causes, as well as her passion and vision.
Botterell decided not to seek re-election, clearing the way for Leader Emily Lowan to run.
He says he is proud of Lowan and the party's campaign after NDP Leader David Eby called a snap election.
The outgoing MLA says people in his riding have told him they are "totally impressed" with Lowan's poise and advocacy for Green causes, as well as her passion and vision.
Vancouver-Yaletown a riding to watch
Former city councillor George Affleck believes that Vancouver-Yaletown is a bellwether riding.
“If Yaletown goes Conservative, then we know the whole province is probably going Conservative,” he said during CTV News’ live election special.
A swing riding, Vancouver-Yaletown elected incumbent NDP MLA Terry Yung by just over 1,000 votes in the 2024 election. Since its creation in 2009, the party that won in Vancouver-Yaletown has indeed been the party that forms government.
“If Yaletown goes Conservative, then we know the whole province is probably going Conservative,” he said during CTV News’ live election special.
A swing riding, Vancouver-Yaletown elected incumbent NDP MLA Terry Yung by just over 1,000 votes in the 2024 election. Since its creation in 2009, the party that won in Vancouver-Yaletown has indeed been the party that forms government.
Doubling efforts in Surrey
The NDP has knocked on twice as many doors in Surrey as it did last election — an apparent acknowledgment of how crucial ridings in B.C.’s fastest-growing city could be in deciding the outcome.
CTV News Vancouver’s Penny Daflos is at NDP headquarters tonight, where she got that update on how the party has adapted its ground game.
CTV News Vancouver’s Penny Daflos is at NDP headquarters tonight, where she got that update on how the party has adapted its ground game.
'Untested moment of crisis'?
During the campaign, the B.C. NDP raised questions about how long Lorne Doerkson would be able to remain premier, if he were to be elected.
The B.C. Conservative Party constitution mandates a leadership race within a year of Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s resignation — and bars interim leaders from running.
The Conservative board of directors responded to those concerns with a statement last month assuring the constitution would be amended for Doerkson, should his campaign succeed.
“A premier chosen by British Columbians deserves the certainty of leading his party. This amendment will provide it,” the board said.
But such an amendment would require a two-thirds vote — in a party that has been plagued by infighting since nearly clinching victory in 2024.
Would Doerkson be able to remain premier if the party chose another leader? “We’ve never run that experiment,” political scientist Stewart Prest told CTV News on the eve of the election.
“It would likely lead to lawsuits,” Prest added. “Historically, courts would be very careful to step into the operation of parliament or legislature … so it would create a kind of untested moment of crisis.”
Live election special starts now
CTV News’ special election coverage begins now, at 6 p.m.
Tune in for live commentary and by-the-minute results updates featuring CTV News anchors Mi-Jung Lee and Rob Buffam, and guest analysts Christy Clark, Mike DeJong, Nathan Cullen, Mario Canseco and more.
Coverage is playing across CTV platforms, including CTVNewsVancouver.ca, CTVNews.ca, on CTV stations across B.C., CTV News Channel, the CTV News app, YouTube, Crave, X and TikTok.
What's at stake for Eby?
NDP Leader David Eby called this election more than two years early, while his party held a majority of seats in the legislature.
If the New Democrats don't expand their majority—even if they hold onto power in a minority government—political scientist Stewart Prest believes history will judge Eby's decision "quite harshly."
“This was a completely voluntary election," Prest told CTV News on the eve of the election.
"David Eby effectively stepped into the docket and invited the judgment of voters, and he's going to have to live with it.”
Anything short of a "resounding return to majority" could lead to calls for Eby to step down as NDP leader, Prest said.
“I don't know that he would be given the grace of remaining on for a period of time to allow the leadership race to replace him to organize itself," Prest said. "I think there will be calls for him to step aside as soon as possible—and I don't know that Mr. Eby would want to stick around because he has really tried the patience of the party's own core supporters and their volunteer base in calling this election.”
Polling during the election period has consistently shown a small lead for the Conservatives.
B.C. NDP Leader David Eby pauses while speaking during a provincial election campaign announcement, in Delta, B.C., on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)
Issues at some polling stations
Voters have been warned of “limited voting hours" and closures at a dozen B.C. polling stations Saturday, including three in Lorne Doerkson’s riding.
The affected locations represent a small fraction of the more than 1,200 polling stations across the province.
The affected locations represent a small fraction of the more than 1,200 polling stations across the province.
There are seven locations with limited hours:
- Edward Billy Community Centre, Cariboo-Chilcotin
- Dog Creek Community Hall, Cariboo-Chilcotin
- Tl’etinqox School, Cariboo-Chilcotin
- Denetia Elementary School, Bulkely Valley-Stikine
- Dease River Band Office, Bulkley Valley-Stikine
- Kispiox Community Hall, Bulkley Valley-Stikine
- Kispiox Community Hall, Bulkley Valley-Stikine
Another five were closed altogether Saturday:
- Halalt First Nation Gym, Cowichan Valley
- Echen Deni Keyoh Hall, Prince George-North Cariboo
- Summit Lake Community Hall, Prince George-Mackenzie
- Shxw’ōwhámél First Nation Band Office gym, Fraser-Nicola
- Battlefield Community Centre, Fraser-Nicola
The issues are due to different factors in different areas, according to Elections B.C.
“In some voting locations we had limited staff availability, road closures and ferry delays, and access delays to voting locations,” the agency spokesperson told CTV News.
Elections B.C. did not respond to a question about whether any of the problems are related to the fact a provincial election was not anticipated this month.
Battleground: West Vancouver–Sea to Sky
The only Green MLA ever elected on B.C.'s mainland is also the only Green Party candidate running for re-election.
Jeremy Valeriote won West Vancouver–Sea to Sky in 2024 by 676 votes. He took 38.08 per cent of the total ballots cast in the riding, with B.C. Conservative Yuri Fulmer in a close second with 35.61 per cent. NDP candidate Jen Ford took 26.31 per cent in the three-way race.
This time around, there are five names on the ballot.
Joining Valeriote are NDP candidate Michelle Livaja, Conservative candidate Ayla Dumais, OneBC candidate Naomi Chocyk and CentreBC candidate Dan Wood.
The electoral district and its predecessors have been held by the B.C. Liberals and the Social Credit Party before them. It has never voted NDP.
Valeriote's victory in 2024 followed a close loss for the Greens in 2020 in this riding that includes Whistler, Pemberton and Squamish, as well as the western portion of West Vancouver, including Horseshoe Bay.
Valeriote was one of two Greens elected last time around. The other, Rob Botterell, is not seeking re-election in Saanich North and the Islands, where party leader Emily Lowan is running instead.
Motorists travel on the Sea-to-Sky highway between Horseshoe Bay and Lions Bay, B.C., on Friday, April 23, 2021. . (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)
Battleground: Maple Ridge East
Conservative Lawrence Mok, who comes from a background in manufacturing and business management, is looking to defend his position in Maple Ridge East two years after defeating NDP incumbent Bob D’Eith by just 97 votes.
Green candidate Kyle Williams took 1,626 votes in 2024, with D’Eith and Mok collecting 11,961 and 12,058 votes, respectively.
Prior to boundary and name changes, D'Eith won the Maple Ridge-Mission seat for the New Democrats in 2017 and 2020.
The NDP are fielding Hudson Campbell, a trustee for School District 42, against Mok this time. School teacher Daniel Kite represents the B.C. Greens, and the fourth and final candidate is Independent Chris Hatchwell.
Green candidate Kyle Williams took 1,626 votes in 2024, with D’Eith and Mok collecting 11,961 and 12,058 votes, respectively.
Prior to boundary and name changes, D'Eith won the Maple Ridge-Mission seat for the New Democrats in 2017 and 2020.
The NDP are fielding Hudson Campbell, a trustee for School District 42, against Mok this time. School teacher Daniel Kite represents the B.C. Greens, and the fourth and final candidate is Independent Chris Hatchwell.
Political endorsements
Days before the election, Surrey’s mayor-elect Doug McCallum threw his support behind Lorne Doerkson and the Conservatives.
“We changed Surrey, let’s change B.C.,” McCallum said at a rally Thursday.
The event was also attended by former premier Christy Clark, who has been campaigning with the Conservatives.
Green Leader Emily Lowan received a similar boost from Pete Fry, Vancouver’s first mayor-elect from the city’s affiliated Green Party.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs—a longtime NDP ally—made waves last week endorsing Lowan as well, though he later clarified he was only referring to her riding of Saanich North and the Islands, a Green stronghold.
Phillip endorsed David Eby for premier, calling him the “best choice as leader of this province.”
(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Battleground: Surrey City Centre
Surrey City Centre was a brand-new riding in 2024, when it became one of the closest races in the province.
The NDP’s Amna Shah was leading Conservative candidate Zeeshan Wahla by a razor-thin margin of 96 votes on election night, forcing a judicial recount that confirmed her victory.
She took 6,726 votes to Wahla’s 6,494 in the final tally.
Wahla, who runs his own engineering consulting firm, is back to challenge Shah, a former Surrey Food Bank director who has served as parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions under the NDP.
Two other parties will be vying for votes on the political right this time, however, with Raman Sharma running for the more moderate CentreBC and Oliver Wildfong representing the more hard-line OneBC.
Sharma is founder of the Tradesman Association of B.C. and the annual Construction Expo, while Wildfong is co-owner of a Lower Mainland security firm.
Ballots to be counted by hand
Elections B.C. has confirmed that votes cast on election day will be tallied manually, in a departure from 2024, when electronic tabulators were used to count paper ballots for the first time in a general election.
That was hailed as a success in Elections B.C.’s report on the polls, but the agency says in a statement that it’s going back to a manual count due to “short time frames and complex operational logistics of a snap election.”
It says paper ballots cast at advance polling stations and at district electoral offices will be counted with electronic tabulators, and it expects those results to be reported first.
Battleground: Courtenay–Comox
Fewer than 100 votes separated Conservative Brennan Day from former NDP MLA Ronna-Rae Leonard in the 2024 election in Courtenay–Comox.
Day won by just 93 votes and claimed only 38.83 per cent of ballots cast. Leonard was close behind, and Green candidate Arzeena Hamir received more than 7,200 votes—some 20.74 per cent of the total.
This year, Day is seeking re-election against NDP candidate Will Cole-Hamilton, a Courtenay city councillor and chair of the Comox Valley Regional District.
Veterinarian Jay Van Oostdam is running for the Greens this year, and CentreBC's candidate is Jason Cook, a financial services professional.
Historically, the riding has mostly been held by the B.C. Liberals this century. That party's candidate won every election in the district from 2001 until 2017. Leonard held it for the NDP for two terms before Day won the seat for the Conservatives.
Attention-grabbing campaign stories
It’s been a busy 32 days since David Eby called this snap election. Here’s a sampling of some of the more eye-catching headlines from this chaotic campaign.
- B.C.'s Eby asks Doerkson to remove campaign chief over social post calling Islam 'abhorrent'
- NDP mailout sparks complaint from B.C. Conservative candidate
- ‘Absolutely doable’ or ‘wishful thinking’? Doerkson defends costed B.C. Conservative platform
- B.C. NDP leader’s use of subsidized daycare ‘shocking,’ Conservatives say
- B.C. Conservatives dump candidate accused of making Hitler remarks
- Eby accuses B.C. Conservatives of separatist links, faces allegation of politicizing Wainwright tragedy
- B.C. Conservatives plan to end no-fault insurance, leaked letter shows
- Stumping and fundraising: NDP scrambling as Conservatives host $1,500 event before B.C. election
- Clark clarifies 'dumb woman' remark as B.C. NDP leader slams 'ridiculous stories'
- B.C. Conservative leader calls Massey Tunnel replacement a ‘pipe dream
Nail-bitingly close contest in 2024
Two years ago, British Columbians had to wait a week to find out whether the NDP were going to form a majority or minority government as the top candidates in two ridings were within 100 votes of one another, requiring a recount.
The collapse of the B.C. United—formerly B.C. Liberal—party and rise of the Conservatives under then-leader John Rustad was the major story in the lead-up to 2024’s election.
The resurrected right-wing party ultimately took 44 seats, the highest count for the Opposition in B.C. history.
The NDP won 47 seats and the Greens won two.
Look back at the leaders debate
B.C.'s three main party leaders took part in just one live, televised debate during the campaign—trading barbs, criticizing each others' policies and pitching their own visions for the province.
Read more: 5 top moments from B.C. leaders' debate
Battleground: Coquitlam–Burke Mountain
Historically, the electoral district that would become Coquitlam–Burke Mountain has more often been held by right-of-centre parties than the NDP, but the riding has gone orange in the last two elections.
Christy Clark held the riding's predecessor in the early 2000s, as did then-B.C. Liberal and recent B.C. Conservative leadership candidate Iain Black.
When Coquitlam–Burke Mountain was created in 2009, the Liberals' Douglas Horne won it and held it until 2016, when the NDP's Jodie Wickens took it in a byelection.
Wickens was defeated in the general election the following year, but won the seat back in 2024, after it had been won by the NDP's Fin Donnelly in 2020.
Wickens is seeking re-election this year, having narrowly defeated the B.C. Conservatives' Stephen Frolek last time around. Her margin of victory was just 368 votes in the two-person race.
This year, there are four candidates running. The Conservative candidate is Ryan Peterson, a "digital transformation expert" and past chair of the Business Council of British Columbia.
The Greens are running animator Valerie Morrison, and CentreBC's candidate is Kaden Mann.
Eby casts ballot with family in tow
NDP Leader David Eby arrived at his polling station Saturday morning accompanied by his wife Cailey Lynch and their three children.
“I’m ready to go, I’m excited,” he told reporters outside. “It’s an important day for British Columbia.”
Eby cast his ballot with their youngest, Gwendolyn, on his lap.
Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson and Green Leader Emily Lowan both voted in advance of election day.
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