The Conservative Party has secured a historic victory in British Columbia, winning the provincial election for the first time in nearly a century. Provisional results showed the right-leaning party taking 64 of the 93 seats, ending nine years of rule by the left-of-center New Democrats. The Conservatives, led by Lorne Doerkson, promised to boost liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, cut regulatory red tape, and replace the province's carbon tax framework.
Doerkson, who will become the next premier, vowed to 'supercharge' British Columbia's economy. The Conservatives plan to double natural gas production by 2032 and more than triple it by 2035. They also aim to attract energy providers that had left the province's LNG sector since 2018, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Woodside.
The election outcome reflects voter concerns over cost-of-living issues, healthcare, and the ongoing trade war with US President Donald Trump. New Democrat Premier David Eby had sought a strong mandate to confront Trump's tariff threats. The Conservatives, however, campaigned on a platform of deregulation and energy expansion, contrasting sharply with the outgoing government's environmental policies.