Photo: Screenshot: X

British Columbia’s Conservatives are projected to form a majority government after campaigning on tax cuts, expanded energy development and changes to school policies, bringing Lorne Doerkson to the premier’s office.

Preliminary Elections BC results showed the Conservatives leading in 64 ridings, the NDP in 27 and the Greens in two. A party needs 47 seats for a majority in the 93-seat legislature.

The Conservatives had 48.05 per cent of the counted vote, compared with 37.38 per cent for the NDP and 10.97 per cent for the Greens.

David Eby announced his resignation as NDP leader following the defeat. He called the Oct. 24 election roughly two years ahead of schedule, while the Conservatives were struggling with leadership disputes and caucus departures.

Doerkson’s campaign centred on expanding resource industries and reducing taxes. The Conservative platform promises a provincial income-tax reduction described by the party as a $1,000 tax cut, along with a commitment against tax increases.

The party has pledged to double B.C.’s liquefied natural gas production by 2032 and triple it by 2035. Doerkson also supports a proposed oil pipeline connecting Alberta with the B.C. coast, giving the election result significance for Alberta’s energy sector.

His forestry proposals include more predictable access to timber, faster permits and lower operating costs.

On health care, the Conservatives promised to maintain spending while recruiting more doctors and nurses to keep emergency rooms and maternity wards open. Other commitments include purchasing water bombers and strengthening enforcement against open drug use and street disorder.

The party also campaigned on removing SOGI programming from schools.

SOGI stands for sexual orientation and gender identity. Sexual orientation describes who a person is attracted to, while gender identity refers to a person’s internal sense of their gender.

SOGI 123 examples include discussing families with two mothers or two fathers, challenging stereotypes about what boys and girls can do and discussing discrimination against gay or transgender people. One published teaching guide suggests addressing a class as “students” or “everyone” instead of “boys and girls". Teachers can incorporate the materials into existing subjects and classroom activities.

The Conservative platform also calls for repealing B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).

Transfers to First Nations since B.C. passed the DRIPA in November 2019 amount to approximately 334,643 acres in Crown land commitments and title recognition across approximately 2.47 million acres in Haida Gwaii among other agreements.

B.C.’s land agreements with First Nations include completed transfers, promised transfers and continuing negotiations.

Land transferred: Documented examples include nearly 19,274 acres of ranch land acquired for Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation in 2022, about 531 acres to Snuneymuxw First Nation through two transfers in 2024 and more than 1,730 additional acres transferred to Snuneymuxw in 2025. Another 89 acres at Lightning Rock were transfered to Semá:th First Nation in 2025.

Land promised: B.C.’s 2025–26 public accounts list approximately 334,643 acres of Crown land commitments under treaty negotiations and agreements. Separately, a 2023 Lake Babine Nation agreement provided for transferring approximately 49,421 acres, although the announcement did not confirm completion of every parcel transfer.

Title recognized: In 2024, B.C. recognized Haida Aboriginal title throughout Haida Gwaii, covering approximately 2.47 million acres. The agreement provides for a staged transition to Haida jurisdiction while maintaining existing private-property rights and public services.

Land under negotiation: Discussions involving Tahltan territory, described by the Conservative caucus as approximately 23.7 million acres, remained negotiations toward a potential agreement in the province’s August 2026 update.

Doerkson brings a background in community newspapers, financial planning and rural politics. According to his party biography, he was born in New Westminster, raised in Surrey and established his career in Williams Lake.

He spent about 20 years as a Black Press newspaper publisher before moving into financial planning. His community involvement includes Rotary, rodeo announcing and volunteering with the Williams Lake Stampede.

He is married and has two daughters.

First elected in Cariboo-Chilcotin as a B.C. Liberal in 2020, Doerkson later served as caucus chair for BC United, the party’s new name. He joined the Conservatives in May 2024, citing concerns about carbon pricing, forestry and health care.

His legislative work included introducing Carter’s Law in May 2024. The proposed amendment would have required government to consider wildfire smoke’s health risks when setting firefighting priorities. It received first reading but did not become law during that session.

Doerkson became interim Conservative leader after Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned in September following weeks of defections and expulsions. He moved quickly to bring several legislators back, including members who had briefly joined CentreBC.

The leadership change came just before Eby called the election, leaving Doerkson to reunite the party while preparing a provincial campaign.

Elections BC’s results remain preliminary. The final count is scheduled for Nov. 6 to 10 and will include mail ballots and other ballots not counted on election night.