British Columbia calls snap provincial election for Oct. 24

British Columbia Premier and NDP Leader David Eby dissolved the legislature Tuesday, calling a snap provincial election for Oct. 24. Eby said U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs are damaging the provincial economy and described the situation as an “existential moment” for B.C. He argued that a new mandate is needed to respond to the trade dispute with the United States.

Eby likened the economic threat to communities facing wildfires and said the province needed to build a “fire break.” He positioned the NDP as best placed to do so, while criticizing the turmoil within the B.C. Conservatives and accusing them of seeking to import MAGA-style politics to the province.

The election automatically cancels the Abbotsford-Mission byelection that had been scheduled to conclude Saturday. Reann Gasper had vacated the seat to give Findlay an opportunity to run. Critics, particularly on the right, have described the election call as opportunistic amid the B.C. Conservative Party's disarray. B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan said on Sept. 16 that a snap vote would be a disappointing and disgusting attempt to capitalize on a fractured opposition.

Findlay resigned as Conservative leader after weeks of turmoil, caucus defections and internal calls for her to step down. Most MLAs who left during her leadership have rejoined the party in the two days since her resignation. Eight had joined Centre BC before she quit, but all except Elenore Sturko are reportedly returning to the Conservative fold. Surrey South MLA Brent Chapman, Findlay's husband, is leaving the party to join One BC.

Agriculture and Food Minister Lana Popham and Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene have said they will not seek re-election. Greene criticized further liquefied natural gas development, including the Tilbury LNG export terminal, whose expansion the B.C. government approved one day before the election call.

The provincial campaign could also overshadow municipal elections scheduled for Oct. 17. Former Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cori Ramsay urged Eby on Sept. 18 to wait, warning that local issues could be lost while only the loudest voices are heard. Some municipal candidates considering provincial roles have already withdrawn from local races.

B.C.'s last election was held Oct. 19, 2024, less than two years into Eby's four-year term. General voting day is Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. Advance voting runs from Friday, Oct. 16, through Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.