BC Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson set to become premier after right-wing win, promises audit, pipeline push and cuts
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Lorne Doerkson, the BC Conservatives’ leader, is poised to take over the province after his party won a majority, with plans for a financial audit, a hospital wait-time commission, tax relief and a renewed drive for the Pacific Link oil pipeline.
British Columbia's Conservative Party won a majority government in a snap election, putting Lorne Doerkson on track to become the province's next premier after a campaign that leaned hard on change and austerity. Doerkson, a former rodeo rider and newspaper publisher, said his administration will begin with an urgent briefing of the public service and an independent review of the province's finances, which face a $14 billion deficit.
"British Columbians voted for change last night and for whatever reason, they liked the platform that we put forward," Doerkson told reporters on Sunday. "I intend to get to work right away."
His initial agenda also includes establishing an expert commission to examine hospital emergency-room wait times and introducing a tax credit that would return $1,000 to each resident. Doerkson also said he wants to work with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to advance the Pacific Link pipeline linking Alberta and the BC coast, a project that will be closely watched by communities affected by resource development.
"We’ll work very closely with him, and of course, our neighbours," he added.
The new premier also indicated plans to repeal the 2019 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), citing concerns that the legislation has generated legal challenges. He said he remains open to dialogue with First Nations and has received supportive messages from some communities, even as the move is likely to trigger fresh conflict over Indigenous rights and provincial authority.
The election, called early by NDP leader David Eby, resulted in the NDP losing 20 seats and moving into opposition. Party officials, including MLA Adrian Dix and former transportation minister Mike Farnworth, described the decision to call the snap vote as a miscalculation. Voter turnout was recorded at 48 percent, the lowest in the province's recent history, a factor analysts say contributed to the NDP's defeat.
Former Alberta premier Jason Kenney and Manitoba NDP premier Wab Kinew commented on the outcome, urging parties to avoid extreme fringe positions and to respect democratic processes.