Eby, Doerkson and Lowan meet in the only leaders' debate of the 2026 BC election

The debate ran from 6:15 pm to 8:00 pm Pacific time on October 14, 2026, in Vancouver. Shachi Kurl of the Angus Reid Institute was the moderator. Global News broadcast the debate live and carried a running article. This was the only televised leaders' debate scheduled for the 2026 BC election.

Eby said health care was the issue that concerned him most. He warned against returning to a personal injury lawsuit system for ICBC, which he called a 'dumpster fire,' and instead proposed a three-year rate freeze on ICBC premiums. He said BC had entered into important partnerships enabled by DRIPA and would not repeal that legislation.

Doerkson said he would repeal DRIPA, which he called divisive, and replace the no-fault ICBC model with a hybrid system that caps lawyer fees. He proposed $50 million for emergency rooms and hospital security. He said growing the economy was his main priority: 'We have to grow our economy in this province.' He also pledged to lead 'with respect and dignity to all British Columbians.'

Lowan said she was 'exhausted' by NDP promises that she said had not been delivered. She called out the Conservatives for not saying where spending cuts would come from. She said DRIPA was necessary for Indigenous human rights and accused the other two parties of 'fearmongering' over property rights. Her party's plan would tax households with a net worth over $50 million to pay for child care, transit and social housing.

During the debate Eby asked Doerkson why he had not removed campaign director Katy Merrifield, who had drawn criticism for online posts about Islam. Doerkson said Merrifield is a survivor of sexual violence who 'acted out in a moment of trauma,' and said he was 'shocked' Eby would raise the issue rather than show 'grace.' This exchange was covered by Global News in the live article for the debate.

An Ipsos poll released around the time of the debate showed BC Conservatives leading BC NDP by five points. The province's deficit stood at $13.8 billion. Polling figures and a seat estimate are on the BC provincial polls page at voche.me.

Yes. All three leaders addressed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Eby said BC had partnerships enabled by the law and would not repeal it. Doerkson said he would repeal it, calling it divisive. Lowan said it was necessary for Indigenous human rights and accused both Eby and Doerkson of fearmongering.

Each party's platform is summarized on its party page on voche.me. David Eby runs for the BC NDP in Vancouver-Point Grey; his page is at /bc/provincial-2026/candidates/david-eby. Lorne Doerkson runs for the Conservative Party of BC in Cariboo-Chilcotin. Emily Lowan runs for the BC Green Party in Saanich North and the Islands. Advance voting runs October 16 to 21. Voting day is October 24, 2026.