Elections BC’s final candidate list shows the BC NDP will not have a candidate on the ballot in Peace River North for the Oct. 24, 2026, provincial election.
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Premier David Eby’s BC NDP will not have a candidate on the ballot in Peace River North in the snap provincial election called for 2026, Elections BC’s finalized candidate list shows.
The BC NDP will field 92 candidates across British Columbia’s 93 ridings, leaving Peace River North without a governing-party contender after nominations closed at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The Conservative Party of British Columbia is the only party contesting every MLA seat.
In the 2024 provincial general election, Peace River North saw BC NDP candidate Ian McMahon receive 828 votes, compared with Conservative Jordan Kealy’s 11,213 and independent (former BC Liberals/BC United) Don Davies’ 3,038.
Voters in Peace River North will choose between Conservative candidate Curtis Whitford and independent candidate Jordan Kealy.
The Conservatives said they highlighted the BC NDP’s shortfall in an Oct. 4 announcement celebrating their complete slate. Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson said the party assembled its team in less than two weeks, while Mauro Francis, president of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, said, “The enthusiasm we’ve seen across BC has been incredible.”
The BC NDP said the paperwork for its Peace River North candidate was incomplete before Election BC’s filing deadline, and emphasized the experience and diversity of its remaining slate. Premier David Eby said in a statement released Oct. 3, “Fighting for all British Columbians starts with running a team that represents all British Columbians,” adding that, “These candidates bring expertise from all walks of life. They know the challenges British Columbians are facing and will apply that real-world experience to support people.”
The BC NDP said women make up 60 per cent of its candidates and that 38 of its candidates are Indigenous or from visible minority communities. It also said 23 candidates on its slate previously served in municipal government.
In the days following the election call, several high-profile cabinet ministers announced they will not seek re-election.
Elections BC confirmed 355 candidates overall, including 15 running as independent or unaffiliated candidates. Voting day for the provincial general election is Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, one week after civic elections across B.C. on Saturday, Oct. 17.
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