Lorne Doerkson

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On October 24, 2026, Doerkson became premier-designate of British Columbia after the Conservatives won a majority government in the 2026 British Columbia general election. They are projected to secure 63 out of 93 seats of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, unseating David Eby's NDP. [25] Doerkson is expected to take office soon after the results are finalized by the chief electoral officer from Elections BC, which is expected to take place in November. [5]

Political positions

Doerkson is described as a moderate conservative [26] [27] [28] and part of his party's centre-right. [29]

Taxes and resource development

Doerkson pledged to reduce provincial income taxes by $1,000 annually for most working individuals and to avoid introducing new taxes. He also supports a proposed oil pipeline to British Columbia's coast. [30]

Healthcare

Doerkson said he supports provincial single-payer healthcare and emphasized the need to keep rural emergency departments and maternity wards open. [31]

Public safety

Doerkson advocates ending open drug use in public places, discontinuing provincial safe-supply, increasing police and prosecutorial capacity, and expanding access to mental-health and addiction treatment. [32]

Indigenous relations

Doerkson pledged to repeal British Columbia's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), arguing the legislation failed to resolve disputes and contributed to problems involving resource development and legal proceedings. The proposed repeal was opposed by Indigenous leaders, including Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, who argued the legislation provided a framework for Truth and Reconciliation. [33]

Education

Doerkson called for repealing SOGI-related education resources and policies concerning sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, arguing it had become divisive, while maintaining schools should be a safe environment for students. [34]

Abortion

Doerkson is pro-choice, stating abortion should be a woman's choice. [34]

Personal life

Doerkson resides in Williams Lake, British Columbia, with his wife, Shelley, where they raised their two daughters. [10]

Electoral history

Lorne Doerkson
MLA
Lorne Doerkson on September 28 2026 (3x4 cropped).jpg
Doerkson in 2026
Premier-designate of British Columbia
Assuming office
November 2026
2026 British Columbia general election : Cariboo-Chilcotin
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
Conservative Lorne Doerkson 14,21876.90+7.31
New Democratic Kathryn Askew3,12316.89-19.98
Green Douglas Gook1,1035.97–
Total valid votes18,44499.76
Total rejected ballots440.24
Turnout
Registered voters
Conservative hold Swing +13.65
Source: Elections BC
2024 British Columbia general election : Cariboo-Chilcotin
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
Conservative Lorne Doerkson 13,71469.59–$52,365.03
New Democratic Michael Moses5,99230.41−1.4$23,077.93
Total valid votes/expense limit19,70699.54–$71,700.08
Total rejected ballots920.46–
Turnout19,79860.04–
Registered voters32,975
Conservative notional gain from BC United Swing –
Source: Elections BC [35] [36]
2020 British Columbia general election : Cariboo-Chilcotin
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
Liberal Lorne Doerkson 6,60051.25−7.52$29,284.50
New Democratic Scott Andrews4,18032.46+6.23$1,965.55
Green David Laing1,37910.71−4.29
Independent Katya Potekhina4573.55–$1,453.00
Libertarian James Buckley2632.04–$0.00
Total valid votes12,879100.00–
Total rejected ballots  
Turnout  
Registered voters
Source: Elections BC [37] [38]

Notes

References

  1. ↑ "B.C. Conservatives' Doerkson, ex-premier Clark attend Lions game". CHEK News. The Canadian Press. September 26, 2026. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Post by Conservative Party of BC". X. Conservative Party of BC. September 25, 2026. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  3. ↑ Buffam, Robert (June 5, 2024). "B.C. MLAs crossing the floor face big risks, political experts say". CTV News . Retrieved January 10, 2026.
  4. ↑ Weichel, Andrew (October 24, 2026). "B.C. Conservatives win majority government, CTV News declares". CTV News . Retrieved October 25, 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Doerkson won't rule out shortened fall session after B.C. election win". CityNews . October 26, 2026. Retrieved October 27, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ↑ "CASUAL COUNTRY: Lorne Doerkson recognized as Stampede volunteer of the year". Williams Lake Tribune. April 30, 2019. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
  7. ↑ B.C. Conservative Party Leader Lorne Doerkson responds to snap election call. CBC British Columbia. September 22, 2026. Retrieved September 23, 2026– via YouTube.
  8. ↑ Harnett, Cindy (October 23, 2026). "Stepping in as leader a 'wild ride' for Cariboo MLA". Times Colonist.
  9. ↑ Roden, Barbara (October 19, 2024). "Lorne Doerkson re-elected in Cariboo-Chilcotin". The Williams Lake Tribune.
  10. 1 2 Davies, Patrick (October 3, 2024). "ELECTION 2024: LORNE DOERKSON". The Williams Lake Tribune.
  11. ↑ "Lorne Doerkson at Conservative Party of BC". Conservative Party of BC.
  12. ↑ Angie Mindus, "ELECTION 2020: Preliminary results show Lorne Doerkson elected in Cariboo Chilcotin". 100 Mile Free Press, October 24, 2020.
  13. 1 2 MacLeod, Andrew (May 31, 2024). "Another BC United MLA Defects to Rustad's Conservatives". The Tyee . Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  14. ↑ Davies, Patrick (May 14, 2024). "CCarter's Law aims to reduce health risks of B.C. wildfire smoke". Maple Ridge News. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  15. ↑ Little, Simon (May 31, 2024). "BC United MLA defects to BC Conservatives just months before provincial election". Global News.
  16. ↑ "BC election 2024 results: Cariboo-Chilcotin | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  17. ↑ Lamb-Yorski, Monica (November 22, 2024). "Cariboo Chilcotin MLA named B.C. Conservatives assistant deputy speaker". The Williams Lake Tribune. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  18. ↑ Little, Simon (September 23, 2026). "B.C. Conservatives say rule changes will keep Doerkson leader if he wins election". Times Colonist.
  19. ↑ "Constitution and Bylaws of the Conservative Party of British Columbia". Conservative Party of British Columbia. March 1, 2025. Retrieved September 29, 2026.
  20. ↑ "A lot has happened since the B.C. snap election was called. Here's a quick rundown". CBC. September 22, 2026.
  21. ↑ "B.C. Conservatives promise no new taxes if elected on Oct. 24". CFJC Today. Canadian Press. September 27, 2026.
  22. ↑ Page, Mark (September 28, 2026). "Conservative Leader Pledges To Triple LNG production". Today in BC.
  23. ↑ Claxton, Matthew (September 29, 2026). "Doerkson promises to cut PST on Canadian alcohol". Abbotsford News.
  24. ↑ Depner, Wolfgang (October 1, 2026). "B.C.'s Eby promises relief at gas pumps while Conservative Doerkson praises pipeline". MSN News.
  25. ↑ "British Columbia election results: Conservatives to form majority government". CBC . October 24, 2026. Retrieved October 27, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ↑ "BC swung hard to the right? That's 'way off base', expert says | iNFOnews.ca". October 28, 2026. Retrieved October 29, 2026.
  27. ↑ Tanner, Adrienne (October 19, 2026). "Hold your nose, but don't hand BC to the Conservatives | Canada's National Observer: Climate News". www.nationalobserver.com. Retrieved October 31, 2026.
  28. ↑ Prest, Stewart (October 25, 2026). "David Eby's early election call backfires badly, putting Conservatives in power in B.C." The Conversation. doi:10.64628/AAM.6wepw9pe3 . Retrieved October 31, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Political hubris claims another victim – the NDP's David Eby". The Globe and Mail. October 25, 2026. Retrieved October 29, 2026.
  30. ↑ Ravelli, Angelina (September 28, 2026). "B.C. Conservatives promise no new taxes". CityNews Vancouver. Retrieved October 29, 2026.
  31. ↑ "B.C. leaders on the campaign trail talk health care and supporting seniors | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved October 29, 2026.
  32. ↑ "How the BC Conservatives plan to tackle crime and public safety | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved October 29, 2026.
  33. ↑ "B.C. First Nations chief warns ripping up DRIPA is a 'declaration of war' | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved October 29, 2026.
  34. 1 2 "Lorne Doerkson says Conservatives committed to all campaign promises | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved October 29, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Statement of Votes – 43rd Provincial General Election – October 19, 2024" (PDF). Elections BC. April 17, 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  36. ↑ "2024 Provincial General Election Financing Reports Available". Elections BC . Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  37. ↑ "2020 Provincial General Election Final Voting Results". electionsbcenr.blob.core.windows.net. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
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