David Eby says he will resign as leader of the B.C. NDP after the party lost the October 24 provincial election to the B.C. Conservatives.
Eby made the announcement during his concession speech on Saturday night, setting the stage for the end of his tenure as premier and opening the way for a leadership contest within the provincial New Democratic Party.
The B.C. Conservatives, led by interim leader Lorne Doerkson, were projected to form a majority government after defeating Eby’s New Democrats.
Elections BC says preliminary results are now being reported following the close of voting on October 24, while the final count is planned for November 6 to 10.
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David Eby announces a change in NDP leadership
Eby told supporters that the party needed new leadership after the election result.
He described serving as British Columbia’s premier as the honour of his life and thanked his colleagues, staff, volunteers and supporters.
Eby also said his family had paid a significant personal cost during his political career and indicated that he wanted to spend more time with his wife, children and friends.
The resignation announcement applies to the leadership of the B.C. NDP.
Eby was projected to retain his seat in Vancouver-Point Grey, meaning he could remain in the legislature even after leaving the party leadership and premier’s office.
Election defeat follows early campaign call
The result came less than two years after the scheduled date of the next provincial election.
Eby called the vote on September 22, 2026, after advising the lieutenant-governor to dissolve the legislature.
At the time, he said British Columbia needed a stronger mandate to deal with economic pressure from the United States and other challenges facing the province.
He later said the election was also necessary because legislative work had become stalled.
The decision drew criticism from opposition parties and municipal leaders, who questioned the timing of the early vote and its overlap with the 2026 local election period.
The B.C. NDP entered the campaign with a one-seat majority in the legislature.
That majority had been secured in the 2024 election, when the party narrowly held power over the B.C. Conservatives.
What happens next for the B.C. NDP
The party will need to establish a process for choosing a permanent successor to Eby.
Until a new leader is selected, the caucus is expected to determine how the party will be represented in the legislature and who will serve as interim leader.
The timing and rules for a leadership contest had not been announced when Eby made his concession speech.
The incoming government will also begin the transition process before the new legislature is formally convened.
Elections BC has scheduled the final count for early November, followed by the formal return of the writs on November 18.
Those administrative steps are separate from the political transition and do not change the result projected on election night.
Eby’s political record
David Eby became B.C. premier on November 18, 2022, after John Horgan stepped down.
Before becoming premier, Eby served as attorney general and housing minister and built a public profile through legal advocacy and housing policy.
He led the B.C. NDP into the 2024 provincial election, where the party won a narrow majority.
His government’s agenda included housing construction, health-care expansion, affordability measures and responses to the province’s relationship with the United States.
The 2026 election result is expected to mark the end of his time as premier and party leader, although his future role as an MLA remained a separate question.
Why the transition matters
The change will affect both the opposition and the incoming government.
The B.C. NDP will have to rebuild its leadership and parliamentary strategy after losing government.
The B.C. Conservatives will inherit responsibility for forming a government while preparing for the first session of the new legislature.
For voters, the immediate issues will include the timing of cabinet appointments, the legislative agenda and the formal confirmation of constituency results.
Further details about the NDP leadership process and the transition to a new provincial government are expected in the coming days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is David Eby resigning as B.C. NDP leader?
Eby announced his resignation after the B.C. NDP lost the October 24, 2026 provincial election to the B.C. Conservatives.
When did David Eby announce his resignation?
He announced it during his concession speech on Saturday night, October 24, 2026.
Will David Eby remain an MLA?
Eby was projected to retain Vancouver-Point Grey, but the formal constituency result remains subject to Elections BC’s counting and certification process.
Who will replace David Eby as B.C. NDP leader?
A successor had not been announced. The party is expected to establish a leadership process after the election.
When will the 2026 B.C. election results become final?
Elections BC planned the final count for November 6 to 10, 2026, with the return of the writs scheduled for November 18.
Fact-Checked: Key election dates, counting procedures and Eby’s official biography were checked against Elections BC and official legislative information, while the resignation announcement was corroborated through current election-night reporting. The concession speech occurred on Saturday, October 24, 2026; the article now distinguishes Eby’s announced party-leadership resignation from the later completion of the premier’s transition. ([elections.bc.ca](https://elections.bc.ca/2026-provincial-election/))
Disclaimer: Preliminary election projections can change before Elections BC completes its final count and certifies constituency results.