BC Conservatives leader Lorne Doerkson held his first press conference as premier-elect Sunday afternoon after his party’s weekend election win over the governing BC NDP.
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British Columbians woke up Sunday to a new political reality after Lorne Doerkson’s BC Conservatives swept to power over the weekend, securing a major majority after nine years of NDP governance. Doerkson said the party was “over” and that he intended to start immediately, adding, “I intend to get to work right away,” and “I intend to work for British Columbia hard, because four years comes quick.”
In his first remarks as premier-elect Sunday afternoon, Doerkson recommitted to promises to avoid tax increases and to cancel a Massey tunnel replacement in favour of a bridge. He also said the incoming government would be positioned to begin work right away, telling reporters, “When this government is sworn in, it will be ready on Day 1, and it will hit the ground running,” adding, “On Day 1, we will launch an independent review of the government’s finances.”
Doerkson said he was looking at holding an abbreviated Fall sitting of the Legislature to start work on early priorities, including “setting out an expert commission on keeping emergency rooms open.” It was also announced that Kim Henderson, a former deputy minister to Christy Clark, would lead Doerkson’s transition team.
Doerkson’s shift from an Interior MLA to a majority premier-elect drew quick congratulations beyond BC. Prime Minister Mark Carney said he offered congratulations, and the news also spread after Donald Trump shared it on his Truth Social account, though Doerkson’s quoted response focused on his commitment to the province: “I assure you, that my commitment, my dedication, is to British Columbia.”
First Nations leaders reacted more cautiously to Doerkson’s plans, particularly regarding DRIPA. Doerkson said he intends to repeal DRIPA, stating that it could come as soon as the Spring sitting, but that the government has not laid out what framework would replace it. Terry Teegee, leader of the BC Assembly of First Nations, said DRIPA has been important for enabling major projects in the province and that repealing it would be a serious mistake, warning that “to repeal DRIPA will definitely set us back in terms of our relationship with the government.” He added that “many First Nations across British Columbia are going to fight” and that without the declaration, “we’re going to see court proceedings and/or civil protests to some of these projects.”
The result also triggered leadership changes for the outgoing governing party. Eby said Saturday that the people of British Columbia had asked NDP MLAs to become the official opposition, prompting him to step down as party leader after his snap election resulted in the loss of seven cabinet ministers. While Eby did win his own riding, BC Greens leader Emily Lowan also won her seat, after the Greens secured two seats. The Conservatives and the Greens/NDP combined share of the popular vote was described as roughly comparable, amid the “lowest voter turnout since the turn of the century.”
After uniting his party, Doerkson said the incoming government would work to draw together different parts of the province, telling voters, “I am your premier as much as anyone else’s,” and adding, “You will have a government that listens to you, works for you, and respects you, however you marked your ballot.”
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