BC Conservatives projected to form government in 2026 election

The BC Conservative Party headed up by interim leader Lorne Doerkson is projected to win Saturday’s provincial election and form the next government in British Columbia.

The political turnaround marks a dramatic shift in the province’s landscape after the BC Conservatives appeared to be disarray when NDP Leader David Eby called a snap election on Sept. 22.

Doerkson needed at least 47 seats to form government. He and his party are currently leading Saturday night with a healthy majority.

On Sept. 20, BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned as leader of the party after 13 MLAs either left or were ousted by party leadership.

Doerkson assumed leadership of the party, with most of the MLAs rejoining.

As the election campaign entered the final week, a new poll showed that the BC Conservatives were leading by five points among decided voters.

Doerkson was born in New Westminster, raised in Surrey and built a life for himself and his family in Williams Lake.

He was a newspaper publisher for 20 years before moving into financial planning and becoming a rodeo announcer and volunteering in his community.