B.C.’s premier-designate repeated key campaign promises and answered questions on a range of hot-button issues Sunday, after his Conservative party’s decisive victory in the provincial election.
Lorne Doerkson said the results made it clear that voters chose change and promised to deliver.
“Too many British Columbians have stopped believing government can get anything done. My job is to prove them wrong,” he said. “I will govern for everyone.”
- Read more: B.C. Conservatives win majority government
Preliminary results show the B.C. Conservatives leading or elected in 64 ridings—representing more than two thirds the seats in the legislature. The NDP’s seat count sits at just 27 after voters delivered a resounding rebuke to David Eby’s snap election call—forcing his resignation. As for the popular vote, the Conservatives got 48 per cent to the NDP’s 37 per cent.
Is the party united?
Given Doerkson was appointed interim leader of the Conservative party after months of infighting and turmoil, he was asked if he thinks division remains amongst the incoming caucus.
“We are unified in a way that I’ve never seen our party before,” he said, brushing off the suggestion that the Conservative party has different factions that could still prove difficult to reconcile.
“The reality is that we are unified, and I’m absolutely committed to working with all of the MLAs in bringing a very respectful caucus forward that will treat all British Columbians with dignity.”
First orders of business
Doerkson’s day-one promise is to open the province’s books and launch an independent review of B.C.’s finances—citing repeated credit downgrades and a ballooning deficit as key areas of concern.
“We need to know where things stand, and so do British Columbians. Before we table a budget, you will have the full picture,” he said.
Doerkson said the first calls he plans to make in his new role are to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to throw his support behind the Pacific Link Pipeline.
The premier-designate also reiterated his plan to “supercharge the economy” by doubling down on resource extraction.
“Our resources are the strongest hand that British Columbia holds, and we will for sure play them,” he said.
Doerkson has appointed the leader of his transition team, appointing Kim Henderson to the role.
Henderson spent more than a decade serving the previous Liberal governments of Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell as deputy minister, cabinet secretary and head of the B.C. public service.
“When this government is sworn in, it will be ready on day one, and it will hit the ground running,” Doerkson said.
He also repeated his party’s campaign promise to fund its ambitious plans for the province without raising any taxes and without making deep cuts to essential services.
“When I make a promise to British Columbians, I will keep it, and that starts for sure right now,” he said.
Legislative priorities
Doerkson said it’s too soon to say if he will recall the legislature for a fall session, but made it clear what will be at the top of his party’s to-do list when MLAs return to Victoria.
Priority number one will be introducing a bill to raise the personal income tax exemption, which the Conservatives promise will put $1,000 “back in the pocket of nearly every working British Columbian,” he said.
Repealing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Act is also a priority for the Conservatives, Doerkson said—while maintaining that his government is committed to working respectfully and in partnership with First Nations.
“I am still committed to the repeal of DRIPA. It has not worked in this province” he said, adding that his party will likely move ahead with the repeal plan in the spring session.
“If DRIPA had the opportunity to solve the problems in this province, we wouldn’t be in court. Legislation that forces two parties together does not seem very beneficial to anybody. In my mind, I am absolutely committed to this. And I mean it when I say that. I will take a meeting with First Nations any day that we can grow a partnership and a friendship together.”
Trump’s tariffs
The premier-designate described the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war as the “biggest economic threat” to B.C.
The comment came after Trump shared news of the Conservative victory in B.C. to social media.
Doerkson said he does not see himself as an ally to Trump and that his loyalty lies with the province and its people.
“I assure you that my commitment, my dedication, is to British Columbia,” he said, adding that he thinks the best defense against Trump’s attacks is to boost B.C.’s economy, support local industry, and attract more investment.
“We have to get focused on British Columbia.”
