VANCOUVER -- The Canadian Press decision desk is projecting the Conservative Party of British Columbia will form a majority government in the province, after a snap provincial election called two years early backfired on the NDP.
Lorne Doerkson is set to become premier just five weeks after assuming the interim leadership of a party that was in disarray.
But he convinced legislators who quit the Conservatives under the divisive leadership of Kerry-Lynne Findlay to return and has now led the party to a stunning victory.
The election was called by outgoing NDP Premier David Eby on Sept. 22 in the biggest gamble of his political life.
The premier of less than four years faced a relatively unknown opponent who rose from obscurity representing the central B.C. riding of Cariboo-Chilcotin to be named interim Conservative leader only two days before the election call.
Doerkson has told British Columbians the Conservatives would "supercharge" the economy, while he criticized the NDP for not doing enough to make life more affordable after nine years in power.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2026.