---
title: "Eby, Doerkson and Lowan meet in the only leaders' debate of the 2026 BC election"
description: "The three main party leaders argued over health care, DRIPA, ICBC and spending at the October 14 debate in Vancouver."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/news/bc-leaders-debate-eby-doerkson-lowan-october-14-2026"
last_updated: "2026-10-17T18:42:33.823Z"
---

BC NDP leader [David Eby](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/david-eby), Conservative leader [Lorne Doerkson](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/lorne-doerkson) and BC Green leader [Emily Lowan](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/emily-lowan) faced each other at the only televised leaders' debate of the 2026 election on October 14, running from 6:15 pm to 8:00 pm Pacific in Vancouver. Angus Reid Institute president Shachi Kurl moderated, according to Global News, which broadcast the event live.

The three leaders clashed on health care, the provincial deficit, the ICBC insurance system, and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, known as DRIPA.

## Health care

Eby said health care was the issue that concerned him most. He proposed a three-year freeze on ICBC premiums and warned against replacing the no-fault insurance model, which he called a fix for the previous "dumpster fire" of personal injury litigation. Doerkson proposed $50 million for emergency rooms and hospital security, and said he would replace the no-fault ICBC model with a hybrid system that caps lawyer fees.

Lowan said she was "exhausted" by NDP promises she said had gone undelivered. She said the Conservatives would not say where their spending cuts would come from.

## DRIPA

Doerkson said he would repeal DRIPA, calling the legislation divisive. Eby said BC had entered into partnerships enabled by the law and would not repeal it. Lowan said DRIPA was necessary for Indigenous human rights and accused both Eby and Doerkson of fearmongering over property rights.

## Deficit and spending

The province's deficit stood at $13.8 billion going into the debate, according to Global News. Lowan's party proposed a tax on households with a net worth over $50 million to pay for child care, transit and social housing. Doerkson said growing the economy was his priority: "We have to grow our economy in this province."

## Campaign director question

During the debate, Eby raised the case of Conservative campaign director Katy Merrifield, asking Doerkson why she had not been removed following 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" that Eby would go after her rather than show "grace," according to Global News.

## Before you vote

Advance voting runs October 16 to 21. Voting day is October 24, 2026. Polls and a seat estimate are at [/bc/provincial-2026/polls](/bc/provincial-2026/polls). Each candidate's page lists their district, party and platform links.

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/bc/provincial-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.