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BC Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson says his party is ready for the snap provincial election called by NDP Leader David Eby, with a full slate of 93 candidates planned.
VANCOUVER — British Columbia Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson says his party is ready to rock in the early days of the provincial election, despite admitting to some frustration over the snap vote called by NDP Leader David Eby on Tuesday.
Doerkson, who was named interim leader just hours before the election was called, said he has been a little bit busy but is open to advice on how to change government in the province. He estimated he has said 100 times in the last few days that he is listening to anyone with advice.
The election was called days after BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay quit amid a caucus revolt. Doerkson, 58, took over as interim leader and has since focused on bringing the party together.
Leadership Change and Party Unity
Caucus members began leaving the party in August, complaining about Findlay’s leadership style before she resigned. Findlay had planned to continue running in a byelection called for Saturday, but that was cancelled by the general election.
Doerkson said his party has gone through some pretty visual challenges, but he feels he is best known for building a team and bringing people together. He said what the party has accomplished in a short time in bringing everyone back into the fold has been exciting.
He held a media availability backed by caucus members and supporters on Tuesday after the vote was called, and has done several media interviews since, though there have been no campaign-style announcements yet.
Doerkson said the snap election is frustrating and he believes British Columbians feel the same, noting that polls show that. He said it takes time to get everything in place, but the Conservative election tour will start soon, with announcements and a platform to come.
Candidate Nominations and Key Races
The party will put Conservatives in all 93 ridings, with many top-notch people asking to be candidates. However, Doerkson said the vetting process is complex and the party is working as quickly as possible to complete it.
One spot quickly filled was in West Vancouver-Capilano, where former Conservative leadership candidate Caroline Elliott will run. Elliott lost to Findlay in May in the final run-off of the leadership race, with official results putting her just two per cent behind the winner.
She becomes the second of the five final Conservative leadership contestants to announce they will run in the election, joining former legislator Peter Milobar, who will be running again in Kamloops-Centre. Findlay has said she will not run in the election.
On the NDP side, several more incumbents will seek re-election, including cabinet ministers Sheila Malcolmson in Nanaimo—Gabriola Island, Lisa Beare in Maple Ridge—Pitt Meadows, and Anne Kang in Burnaby Centre. Four Eby cabinet ministers, including Ravi Kahlon and Kelly Greene, have announced they are not seeking re-election.
Opposition Dynamics and Campaign Outlook
CentreBC Leader Elenore Sturko, who was elected in the riding of Surrey-Cloverdale, said she will be running in Surrey South, where Brent Chapman won in 2024. Chapman is the husband of Findlay and left the party for the right-wing OneBC on the same day as the election call.
It means Sturko will face Chapman and current White Rock Mayor Megan Knight, who will be running for the Conservatives. In a statement, Sturko said she is embarrassed that Chapman has been her MLA and she plans to remedy that.
Doerkson also mentioned attending the BC Lions match against the Roughriders on Friday, where he saw former BC premier Christy Clark and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. He said it was difficult to hear words of wisdom over the crowd, but sitting with a past premier and a current premier to build relationships is a huge advantage.
The Conservative leader said he is listening to anyone who has advice on how to change government in the province. The party is preparing for a campaign that will include a platform and announcements as the election progresses.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 26, 2026.
Lorne Doerkson BC Conservatives David Eby BC Election Kerry-Lynne Findlay Caroline Elliott Elenore Sturko
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