Eby calls British Columbia election for October 24

British Columbia Premier David Eby asked Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia to dissolve the legislature on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, setting the provincial election for October 24, 2026, less than two years into his mandate. Eby, leader of the governing NDP, said U.S. President Donald Trump and his trade war represent an existential threat to British Columbia. Outside Government House in Victoria, he compared the danger to a wildfire, saying that when you smell smoke you do not sit and wait to see what happens next, and calling for a firebreak against both the trade war and Trump-style politics. The snap election arrives amid turmoil in the Conservative official Opposition. Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned as Conservative leader on Sunday, September 20, after less than four months, and the party board named Lorne Doerkson interim leader hours later. Doerkson had been scheduled to address media and caucus on Tuesday but cancelled the appearance as the election call loomed. Five MLAs returned to the Conservative caucus on Monday, bringing its membership to 29.