NDP accuses Greens of leaving door open to Conservatives; Lowan says it would be disastrous

During an interview with The Tyee, as reported by Victoria Buzz on October 23, 2026, BC Green Party leader Emily Lowan was asked whether she could support the BC Conservatives in a minority government. According to Victoria Buzz, Lowan said: 'I don't think we can rule anything out at this point.' She prefaced the comment by saying she would have serious concerns about partnering with the BC Conservatives. After the BC NDP issued a press release criticizing her, Lowan put out a written statement saying a Conservative government would be disastrous for the province.

Victoria Buzz reported that the BC NDP issued a press release saying BC Green leader Emily Lowan leans toward the NDP in terms of potential legislature partnerships, while also criticizing her for not ruling out a partnership with the BC Conservatives. Tamara Davidson, NDP candidate for North Coast-Haida Gwaii, was quoted in the release saying the comments were 'pretty shocking' and that 'for progressives, the only appropriate response to this question is to rule out putting the Conservatives in power.'

BC Green Party leader Emily Lowan put out a written statement in response to the NDP press release. Victoria Buzz quoted her as saying: 'Let me be clear: a Conservative government would be disastrous for this province.' She said the Conservatives' promises would mean rising debt and cuts to health care, child care and services. She also said that if the Conservatives formed government, the BC Greens would oppose an austerity agenda at every step. She concluded by saying David Eby's decision to call a snap election is what helped the Conservatives.

Victoria Buzz reported that the BC Conservatives, while staying quiet on the NDP-Greens exchange, made their own allegation: that Eby called the election because of dissension within his own NDP caucus. The Conservatives pointed to an interview that NDP candidate Roly Russell gave to Castanet. In that interview, Russell said that because the NDP holds only one more seat than the combined opposition, a single MLA could effectively block any legislation. The Conservatives said that is why Eby has been campaigning on getting a stronger mandate. Neither Russell nor the NDP responded to that characterization in Victoria Buzz's article.

A voter weighing the BC NDP against the BC Greens on October 24 can draw on both parties' statements about post-election options. The NDP press release, as reported by Victoria Buzz, says Lowan leans toward the NDP for any legislature partnership. Lowan's own statement says the BC Greens would oppose a Conservative government. Voters will decide on election day, October 24, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can find your voting location through Elections BC.

Tamara Davidson is the BC NDP candidate for North Coast-Haida Gwaii in the 2026 BC provincial election. Her profile is at /bc/provincial-2026/candidates/tamara-davidson. According to Victoria Buzz's report on October 23, she was quoted in the NDP press release saying she found Lowan's comments about not ruling out a Conservative partnership 'pretty shocking,' and that the only appropriate response for progressives is to rule out putting the Conservatives in power.

In a minority government, one party wins the most seats in the legislature but does not hold more than half. To pass legislation or stay in power, that party must either get support from another party on a vote-by-vote basis or form a formal partnership. British Columbia has 93 seats. A party needs 47 seats to hold a majority. If no party reaches 47 seats after the October 24, 2026 election, the party with the most seats would govern as a minority and would need other parties' support for legislation.

Voting day in the 2026 BC provincial election is Saturday, October 24. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in every electoral district across British Columbia. You can find the voting place nearest you through Elections BC at elections.bc.ca. Bring valid ID or proof of residence. If you already voted during the advance voting period, which ran from October 16 to 21, your ballot has already been cast and counted.