Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference following the throne speech at the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Feb. 12, 2026. The Canadian Press/Chad Hipolito
British Columbia Premier David Eby has called an election just under two years into his mandate that will see voters heading to the polls on Oct. 24.
Eby met with B.C. Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia at Government House in Victoria on Sept. 22 and asked her to dissolve the legislature, triggering the provincial election.
The election call comes amid leadership turmoil and defections within the Opposition B.C. Conservative Party, as well as ongoing economic tensions and trade disputes with the United States.
Eby had cited the economic disruption caused by the U.S. trade war as a reason for holding an early election, saying British Columbians may need to weigh in on the province’s direction before the next fixed election date.
“This is an existential moment,” Eby said.
The official campaign begins immediately, leading up to election day on Oct. 24. This places the provincial vote just one week after B.C.’s local municipal elections on Oct. 17, a timing conflict that local government officials had previously asked Eby to avoid.
The snap election call catches the official opposition in a state of leadership transition. Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned as leader of the BC Conservative Party on Sept. 20 following internal disputes and caucus departures that saw 14 MLAs leave her party during her four-month tenure.
Lorne Doerkson was named interim leader just hours later, and former leader John Rustad and former interim leader Trevor Halford, who were removed from the Conservative caucus last week, were asked to return. Some of the other MLAs who had left the party were also invited to rejoin the caucus.
Eight former B.C. Conservative MLAs, led by Peter Milobar, have joined CentreBC, an established party that previously had no MLAs in the legislature, and are positioning it as an alternative to the NDP and Conservatives.
Former CentreBC leader Mike Bernier stepped aside last week to allow Milobar to take over as party leader. The eight MLAs had previously said they planned to form a new party, but instead joined CentreBC ahead of a potential snap election.
The legislature also includes two Green MLAs, while party leader Emily Lowan does not hold a seat. OneBC, led by Dallas Brodie, weathered considerable party turmoil last year that prompted former party colleague Tara Armstrong to leave in December 2025.
Brodie was a one-person party until Findlay’s husband and Surrey South MLA Brent Chapman announced he would join the party on Sept. 22.
The B.C. NDP holds 47 of the 93 seats in the Legislative Assembly, giving it a one-seat majority.
The last election was held on Oct. 19, 2024, putting Eby just one year and 11 months into his mandate.
This is a developing story, updates will follow.
English (US) · 
Turkish (TR) · 