David Eby steps down as BC NDP leader after snap election defeat

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 25. 2026

Photo Courtesy: Mark Page/Black Press

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — David Eby has announced his resignation as leader of the BC NDP after his decision to call an early provincial election ended in a decisive defeat, bringing nine years of New Democratic government in British Columbia to a close.

Eby conceded the October 24 election less than two hours after polls closed at 8 p.m., as the BC Conservatives, led by interim leader Lorne Doerkson, secured a projected majority victory.

Speaking to supporters in Vancouver, Eby accepted responsibility for the loss and acknowledged that British Columbians had chosen a different direction.

“This is obviously something I do with a very heavy heart. But it is time for new leadership within our party,” he said.

Eby also confirmed that he had called Doerkson to congratulate him on the Conservatives’ victory.

The result marks a dramatic reversal for the NDP, which had governed British Columbia since 2017 under former premier John Horgan and later Eby.

An election gamble that backfired

Eby called the snap election on September 22, nearly two years before the province was scheduled to return to the polls.

At the time, the NDP held a narrow one-seat majority in the legislature following its closely contested victory in 2024.

Eby initially argued that the province needed a stronger mandate to address economic uncertainty and threats from U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies.

He later said the election was also intended to overcome difficulties in a legislature where his government had struggled to advance its agenda.

However, the decision drew criticism from political opponents, who questioned the need for an early election while the Conservative Party was dealing with internal disputes and leadership instability.

The gamble ultimately failed.

By late election night, the Conservatives were leading in 64 of British Columbia’s 93 electoral districts, compared with 27 for the NDP and two for the Greens. The Conservatives needed 47 seats to form a majority.

The projected victory puts Doerkson on course to become the province’s first Conservative premier since 1933.

Eby reflects on his time in office

Beyond the political defeat, Eby spoke about the personal demands of public service and the sacrifices made by his family.

He described serving as premier as the honour of his life and thanked party members, volunteers, government staff and colleagues for their support.

Eby said his family had paid a significant personal price during his years in politics. He expressed a desire to spend more time with his wife, children and friends.

The 50-year-old became premier in November 2022, succeeding Horgan as both provincial leader and head of the BC NDP.

His government continued the party’s work on housing affordability, healthcare, public services and economic development.

Despite losing the election, Eby was projected to retain his own legislative seat in Vancouver-Point Grey.

What happens next for the BC NDP?

Eby’s decision leaves the New Democrats facing a leadership transition as they prepare to return to the opposition benches for the first time in nine years.

The party will need to select new leadership and rebuild following an election that substantially reduced its representation in the legislature.

Eby’s announcement that he would resign as party leader does not mean he immediately ceased serving as premier. He remains in office during the transition until the incoming Conservative government formally takes power.

Meanwhile, Elections BC has scheduled its final count for November 6 to 10. Mail-in ballots and other votes not included in the initial count will be added before the results are finalized.

For Eby, the election brings an abrupt end to his premiership. For the BC NDP, it begins a new period of rebuilding after nearly a decade in government.