Surrey (Rajeev Sharma / Amrit Dhot): British Columbia is officially heading into a provincial election, with Premier David Eby calling an early vote for October 24, 2026, less than two years into his government’s current mandate.
Eby travelled to Government House in Victoria on Tuesday and formally asked Lieutenant-Governor Wendy Cocchia to dissolve the legislature, triggering the provincial election campaign. The election call comes after days of speculation that the premier would seek an early mandate.
Eby has pointed to the continuing economic uncertainty surrounding the Canada-U.S. trade relationship and policies pursued by U.S. President Donald Trump. He described the situation as an “existential moment” for British Columbia, arguing that the province is facing significant economic challenges that require a clear direction.
The election is being called at a particularly unsettled moment for the B.C. opposition. Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned as leader of the B.C. Conservative Party on Sunday, after less than four months in the position. Lorne Doerkson has taken over as interim leader as the party attempts to reorganize ahead of the campaign.
The Conservative caucus has also experienced significant movement in recent weeks. Five MLAs who had either resigned from or been removed from the Conservative caucus were welcomed back on Monday, temporarily bringing the party’s caucus to 29 members.
However, the political movement continued Tuesday when Brent Chapman, Findlay’s husband and a Conservative MLA, announced that he was leaving the Conservative Party to join OneBC.
The snap election will also create an unusual political calendar across the province. The provincial vote is scheduled for October 24, just one week after B.C.’s municipal elections on October 17. Municipal leaders had previously urged Premier Eby not to schedule a provincial campaign so close to local government elections, citing concerns about overlapping campaigns and voter attention.
The election call follows several recent government announcements that have taken on added significance as the province moves into campaign mode. The NDP government announced a temporary pause on expansion of the provincial sales tax and ordered that BC Ferries’ next round of vessels be built in British Columbia.
Eby had also told his caucus and ministers to be “election ready” amid growing uncertainty over the timing of the vote. Until Tuesday, however, the premier had declined to confirm that an early election was imminent.
With the legislature dissolved, the campaign will now focus on the major issues facing British Columbia, including the economy, affordability, trade and relations with the United States, infrastructure, health care, housing and the future direction of the province.
British Columbians will cast their ballots on October 24, 2026, in a provincial election that comes amid significant changes within the opposition and heightened economic uncertainty.
