Conservatives sweep to majority as Eby announces resignation

While recognizing the outcome, Eby reflected on what he sees as key achievements of his government’s time in office. He pointed to major investments in housing, health care, education and transportation infrastructure, including the Broadway Subway project, the new St. Paul’s Hospital and efforts to improve access to family doctors.

Eby said seeing the election results was particularly difficult because of the defeat of several NDP incumbents.

“The people of British Columbia have asked us to be the official opposition, which is obviously not the result that any of us wanted,” he said. “A number of my colleagues, some of the hardest-working MLAs I know for their communities, were not elected tonight. It breaks my heart, and I accept full responsibility for that outcome.”

The outgoing premier also announced his intention to resign as party leader, saying it was time for new leadership within the BC NDP after the election defeat.

“It has been the honour of my life to serve as premier of British Columbia,” Eby told supporters. “This is obviously something I do with a very heavy heart, but it is time for new leadership within our party.”

On the other side of the province’s political divide, supporters gathered to celebrate a historic night for the Conservatives and their leader, Lorne Doerkson. The former newspaper publisher and Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA thanked volunteers, supporters and his family before outlining his vision for the province.

“Together we voted for a better British Columbia,” Doerkson said. “From here, I will do everything in my power to get British Columbia back on track.”

During a lengthy victory speech, Doerkson focused heavily on economic development, resource industries and creating opportunities throughout the province, particularly in rural and northern communities.

“For a very long time, a lot of British Columbians have felt like Victoria forgot about them, like the map maybe stopped at Hope,” he said. “But tonight, the whole map counts in British Columbia.”

Doerkson pledged to attract investment, reduce red tape and expand natural gas development while supporting publicly funded health care and improving access to doctors, hospitals and rural services. He also emphasized the importance of economic growth across all regions of the province, highlighting communities such as Prince George, Williams Lake, Fort St. John, Kitimat, Kelowna and Vancouver as key parts of British Columbia’s future.

“I believe in bringing investment back to British Columbia,” he said. “I believe in cutting red tape. I believe in energy.”

Looking ahead to his time in office, Doerkson said affordability, job creation and economic expansion will be central priorities for his government.

“Tonight, British Columbia made a choice, and it is going to be the honour of my lifetime to serve you as your premier,” he told supporters. “And I am going to give this job everything that I’ve got.”

The election marks one of the most significant political shifts in British Columbia in recent years. As the Conservatives prepare to form government, the BC NDP begins a new chapter in opposition and a search for a new leader following Eby’s resignation.

For British Columbians, the focus now turns from the campaign trail to the promises made during it, as a new government prepares to take office and chart its course for the next four years.

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Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com

by Adam Berls

Conservatives sweep to majority as Eby announces resignation

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