B.C. party leaders enter snap election campaign

British Columbia voters will head to the polls on Oct. 24 after NDP Leader David Eby called an early election nearly two years ahead of schedule. The campaign is unfolding in a province where party alignments, caucus splits and leadership changes have reshaped the political field since the 2024 vote. Eby is seeking another mandate for the B.C. NDP after narrowly holding on to a majority last year. His government has faced pressure over issues including the deficit, health care, drug decriminalization and internal disagreement over Indigenous legislation, but recent polling has shown some improvement for the premier. The B.C. Conservatives are being led into the race by interim leader Lorne Doerkson after the resignation of KerryLynne Findlay. Doerkson has worked to steady a caucus shaken by infighting, while the party continues to operate without a permanent leader. CentreBC leader Elenore Sturko says she will stay independent from the Conservatives and campaign under her new party banner, arguing that her values no longer match the rightofcentre opposition. She has also spoken about tensions inside the broader conservative movement. The B.C. Green Party is led by Emily Lowan, who does not hold a seat in the legislature but has said the party aims to challenge major corporations and the province's resource sector. OneBC is being led by Dallas Brodie, whose new party emerged after her break with the Conservatives and now includes additional former members of the opposition caucus.