Conservatives win British Columbia for the first time since 1928

The vote took place on Saturday, 24 October. The New Democrats had run the province for nine years and held a majority, but premier David Eby called the election two years early. CBC News reports the decision backfired. The Conservatives, who were in disarray just five weeks ago, won a majority.

Preliminary Elections BC figures on the morning of 25 October show the Conservative Party leading in 64 of 93 districts with 861,258 votes, or 48.05%. The NDP has 27 districts and 37.38%, the Greens 2 districts and 10.97%. Preliminary turnout is about 48%. Some ballots, such as mail-in votes, are counted about two weeks later, and the final count is due on 6 November.

The economic part of the platform matters for markets. Reuters reports the Conservatives promise to double natural gas production by 2032 and more than triple it by 2035. They want to end emissions limits, replace the current carbon tax framework and win back energy companies that left the province's LNG sector since 2018, including ExxonMobil, Chevron and Woodside. The previous NDP government opposed new oil pipelines and backed a tanker ban along the northern coast.

In his victory speech Lorne Doerkson promised a tax cut and a tax freeze and faster permits for mining and exploration. "We will cut red tape like it's never been cut before," he said. Reuters says voters focused most on the cost of living, healthcare and the trade dispute with the US.

Promises are not projects yet. A gas plant or an LNG terminal takes years to build, and companies need permits, buyer contracts and pipelines. So do not expect a quick effect on gas prices, but the province's policy direction has changed.

Confirmed facts

• Preliminary results show the Conservative Party leading in 64 of 93 districts, the NDP in 27 and the Greens in 2.^[1]
• The Conservatives have 861,258 votes, 48.05%; the NDP 37.38%, the Greens 10.97%.^[1]
• The final count is scheduled for 6 November 2026.^[1]
• It is the Conservatives' first provincial election win since 1928.^[2][3]
• The Conservatives promise to double natural gas production by 2032 and more than triple it by 2035.^[2][3]
• The party promises to end emissions limits, replace the carbon tax framework and win back ExxonMobil, Chevron and Woodside for LNG.^[2]
• David Eby conceded and announced he is stepping down as NDP leader.^[3]
• Eby called the election two years early while holding a majority.^[3]

Implications

• ConfirmedThe province has a new government that promises more gas and fewer limits on production.
• Our readingIf the LNG plans come true, in a few years the world gas market will get more supply from Canada, mainly for Asia.
• Our readingCanadian gas and pipeline companies may get more projects, but that depends on permits and buyers.

Still unknown

• What the final count on 6 November will show.
• Which LNG projects the government approves first, and how fast.
• Whether ExxonMobil, Chevron and Woodside return to projects in the province.

Who it affects

Canada, Asia, Worldwide. Those who follow gas prices, energy stocks and the Canadian dollar

Sources

1. Elections BC: 2026 Provincial General Election: Event Night Reporting October 25, 2026 · official
2. Reuters (via Investing.com): Conservative party wins first election in nearly a century in British Columbia October 25, 2026 · media
3. CBC News: Lorne Doerkson to become next B.C. premier amid projected majority win for Conservatives October 25, 2026 · media