VICTORIA: Premier David Eby called a British Columbia election for October 24, 2026, bringing voters in the Canadian province to the polls about two years earlier than scheduled.
Eby requested the legislature’s dissolution from Lieutenant Governor Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia on September 22, 2026. He said Canada-US trade tensions and economic pressure from US President Donald Trump justified an early vote.
Speaking in Victoria, Eby described the province’s position as an “existential moment”. The next scheduled provincial election had been due in 2028.
The opposition Conservative Party of British Columbia criticised the timing. Eby rejected claims that turmoil within the party had driven his decision.
Interim Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson took over after Kerry-Lynne Findlay stepped down. Seven legislators who had joined CentreBC subsequently returned to the Conservatives, while legislator Elenore Sturko remained with CentreBC.
Elections BC confirmed that voters will choose 93 members of the Legislative Assembly. The provincial vote follows general local elections on October 17, 2026, when residents choose mayors, councillors and other local representatives.
The election authority also cancelled the Abbotsford-Mission by-election. Residents who already cast ballots in that contest must vote again in the provincial election.
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Advance voting runs from October 16 to October 21, 2026. On final voting day, polls open at 8:00 am and close at 8:00 pm Pacific time, according to the official voting schedule.
