Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd of supporters on Saturday, October 24th, Lorne Doerkson opened his victory speech with a declaration that reflected the historic shift in the province’s political landscape.
“BC is definitely blue!” he told supporters.
“Together, we seized this opportunity, you guys, and together we voted for a better British Columbia. And from here, I will do everything in my power to get British Columbia back on track.”
The Conservative leader thanked campaign volunteers, candidates and voters, including those who supported other parties.
He also acknowledged outgoing premier David Eby, recognizing the personal sacrifices involved in public service.
“Public life asks a lot of us all. It asks a lot of a person and a lot of their family,” Doerkson said.
He also congratulated BC Green Leader Emily Lowen on her campaign, praising her efforts to inspire young British Columbians to become politically involved.
The victory marks a major political shift in BC, with the Conservatives projected to form a majority government for the first time in nearly a century, ending nine years of NDP rule.
Thank you, British Columbia.
Tonight, you voted for change. You voted for a government that will listen, keep life affordable, and never take your hard-earned money for granted.
I want to thank every volunteer who knocked on doors, made calls, and put up signs in the rain. I want to thank our candidates, who stepped forward in a snap election with no time to spare. And I want to thank my wife Shelley and my family for standing beside me every step of the way.
To those who didn’t vote for us: I will work just as hard for you. This is your government too.
The work starts now. Let’s get to it.
— Lorne Doerkson (@LDoerkson) October 25, 2026
Tax cuts, healthcare and economic growth
Doerkson used much of his speech to outline his priorities for the province, with affordability and economic development at the forefront.
He reiterated his party’s promise of a $1,000 tax cut for British Columbians and pledged not to introduce new provincial taxes.
He also promised to attract investment back to BC, announcing plans to host an international business summit in Vancouver next year.
Addressing business owners who may be considering leaving the province, Doerkson urged them to reconsider.
“I am begging you to stay,” he said, encouraging businesses to grow their operations in British Columbia.
Healthcare was another major focus, with Doerkson pledging to maintain a fully publicly funded system while improving access to family doctors, hospitals and rural emergency services.
He specifically pointed to the need to keep rural emergency departments and maternity wards open, an issue that has affected communities across the province.
On public safety, he promised stronger measures to keep criminals behind bars while ensuring people who need treatment can access it.
A message for Vancouver Island and rural BC
Throughout his speech, Doerkson repeatedly emphasized that his government would represent the entire province, not just its largest cities.
“For a very long time, a lot of British Columbians have felt like Victoria forgot about them, like the map maybe stopped at Hope,” he told supporters.
“But tonight, the whole map counts for British Columbia.”
He specifically mentioned Saanich, Sooke and Langford among the communities he visited during the campaign, while highlighting Vancouver Island’s fishing industry as an important part of the provincial economy.
Doerkson also spoke about forestry communities in the Interior, natural gas development in northern BC, agriculture in the Okanagan and the importance of connecting industries across the province.
“A province only works if all of it works,” he said.
From newspaper publisher to premier-elect
Doerkson also reflected on his personal journey, describing his upbringing in Surrey and his years living and working in Williams Lake.
Before entering politics, he spent roughly two decades working in the newspaper industry, an experience he credited with helping him understand the challenges facing local communities.
He also spoke about his involvement with the Rotary Club and the Williams Lake Stampede, drawing comparisons between rodeo and political life.
Doerkson said his experiences supporting communities through wildfires and floods helped shape his understanding of leadership.
“It isn’t loud. It’s showing up. It’s telling people the truth. It’s keeping the promises that you have made,” he said.
Doerkson took over the Conservative leadership in September following a period of internal turmoil within the party. Just weeks later, he led the Conservatives to their projected majority victory.
A promise to the next generation
Looking ahead, Doerkson said he wants young British Columbians to be able to afford homes, find opportunities and build their futures without leaving their hometowns.
He also pledged to work with First Nations in building the province’s future.
In one of the closing moments of his speech, Doerkson imagined a child born in BC on election night and what the province could look like when that child turns 10 in 2036.
He said his goal is to create a province where families can afford homes and young people don’t have to leave their communities to get ahead.
Doerkson closed by acknowledging that his government would face challenges and that he would not always get everything right.
“I also promise you that I won’t get it all perfect. But when I don’t, I’m going to tell you, and then I’ll get back to work.”
He ended by telling supporters he was ready to serve all British Columbians.
The election results were still being counted Saturday night, although major news organizations, including The Canadian Press, had projected a Conservative majority government.
Readers can follow the latest provincial election results, including individual races across Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island, through the Victoria Buzz election results portal.
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