The BC leaders debate brought Premier David Eby, interim Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson and Green Party Leader Emily Lowan together Wednesday night, giving British Columbians their only televised debate before the October 24 provincial election.
The two-hour event, moderated by Shachi Kurl, placed the three parties’ competing approaches to the economy, housing, health care, taxes, public safety, energy and climate policy on the same stage.
With advance voting scheduled to begin October 16, the debate was one of the final opportunities for voters to compare the leaders directly before ballots are cast.
Advance voting is scheduled to begin October 16.
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BC leaders debate centres on competing economic visions
The debate unfolded against a campaign shaped by trade uncertainty, affordability pressures and disagreement over how quickly British Columbia should expand major resource and infrastructure projects.
Eby’s campaign has framed the election around strengthening B.C.’s economy while reducing dependence on the United States, supporting workers affected by tariffs and expanding health-care recruitment and public services.
Before the debate, the BC NDP announced plans for a new shipyard in the province and proposed making the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund permanent with $60 million in annual funding.
The party said the measures would support shipbuilding, forestry and other manufacturers.
Doerkson’s Conservatives have emphasized lower taxes, faster approvals and expanded natural-gas production as the foundation for economic growth.
The party’s published proposals include a $1,000 provincial income-tax reduction for nearly every working British Columbian, a higher basic personal exemption and a plan to double B.C.’s liquefied natural-gas production by 2032.
Lowan and the Greens presented a more interventionist economic approach, combining support for small businesses with major public investments funded in part through a proposed one-time tax on extreme wealth.
The Green platform calls for a single government entry point for small-business approvals and a “Fair Share” tax beginning at 5 per cent on net wealth above $50 million, with higher rates for larger fortunes.
Housing and health care remain central election issues
Housing affordability and access to health care were among the issues most closely tied to voters’ day-to-day concerns.
The BC NDP has pointed to provincial housing construction, rental programs and supportive housing as evidence of progress, while also acknowledging that affordability remains a major challenge.
The 2026 provincial budget says the government has committed more than $2 billion annually to housing and estimates that combined measures are creating about 95,000 homes.
It also sets aside funding for hospitals, child care, education and community safety.
The Conservatives have criticized the NDP’s housing record and argued that taxes, regulation and permitting delays are increasing the cost of building and buying homes.
Lowan’s Greens have argued that housing policy must be paired with stronger public services, transit and community planning rather than relying primarily on market construction.
On health care, Eby defended his government’s investments and recruitment efforts, while the opposition leaders pressed the government over wait times, staffing shortages and access outside major urban centres.
The Greens’ campaign commitments include maintaining health-care funding, recruiting and retaining more doctors and nurses, and creating a $50-million emergency fund for rural medical practices.
Taxes, energy and public safety divide the parties
Tax policy offered one of the clearest contrasts among the leaders.
The Conservatives have promised broad income-tax relief, while the NDP has proposed raising the top two provincial tax brackets by two percentage points and creating a new bracket for income above $1 million.
The Greens have proposed raising revenue from extreme wealth to finance housing, child care and transit initiatives.
Energy policy also separated the parties.
The Conservatives have made expanded natural-gas production and faster permitting central to their campaign, including a proposed 120-day approval timeline for major projects valued above $250 million, as outlined in their energy plan.
The NDP has emphasized manufacturing, clean technology and economic diversification while defending its record on large projects and environmental regulation.
The Greens have called for greater investment in community-owned energy, lower-carbon buildings and projects led by First Nations, municipalities and local organizations.
Public safety and the toxic-drug crisis were also prominent campaign themes.
The provincial budget includes $139 million over three years for community-specific safety concerns, along with expanded treatment and recovery services and additional involuntary-care beds in Surrey and Prince George.
The opposition parties have argued that the government’s approach has not sufficiently improved street safety, while the NDP has defended a combination of enforcement, treatment and mental-health supports.
What happens next in the BC election
The debate did not produce a formal winner, and voters will ultimately judge the leaders according to the issues they consider most important.
The immediate next step is advance voting, which runs from October 16 to 21.
Final voting day is October 24, when voters will elect 93 members of the Legislative Assembly.
The campaign will continue to focus on affordability, housing supply, health-care access, public safety and the province’s economic relationship with the United States.
For voters, the central choice presented during the debate was whether to continue the NDP government’s investment-oriented approach, shift toward the Conservatives’ lower-tax and resource-expansion agenda or support the Greens’ larger public-investment and wealth-tax proposals.
That decision will be made at the ballot box rather than on the debate stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who took part in the 2026 BC leaders debate?
The debate featured BC NDP Leader David Eby, interim BC Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson and BC Green Party Leader Emily Lowan.
When is the 2026 British Columbia provincial election?
Final voting day is Saturday, October 24, 2026. Advance voting is scheduled for October 16 to 21.
What were the main issues in the BC leaders debate?
The leaders addressed housing, health care, taxes, public safety, the toxic-drug crisis, energy, wildfires, affordability and economic growth.
How many seats are being contested in the BC election?
Voters will elect 93 members of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly.
Where can voters find official election information?
Elections BC provides information about registration, voting dates, voting locations, candidates and voting by mail.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, participating leaders and major policy commitments were checked against Elections BC, CPAC and official party information.
Disclaimer: Party proposals remain campaign commitments and may change before or after the election.