Election 2026: Campaign Roundup - Day 26

Welcome to Day 26 of our British Columbia 2026 Campaign Roundup!

We're bringing you daily updates on all the policy proclamations, platform promises, and political point-scoring from the campaign trail.

As always, our work is entirely funded by donations from British Columbians just like you, so if you appreciate the updates, please consider making a one-off donation or signing up as a supporter for just $10 a month - that's just 36 cents per email!

Campaign Roundup - Day 26:

• British Columbians are heading to the polls today to elect local representatives in 162 municipalities and 27 regional districts, with about 3,500 candidates running across the province. Voters can find their polling location through their municipality or regional district’s website.
  
  
• Advance voting in the provincial election is overlapping with today’s municipal election. Provincial advance polls will remain open until October 21st, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, ahead of general voting day on October 24th. Elections BC is advising voters to check its website and their municipality’s website to confirm their respective voting locations, as some provincial and municipal polling stations may be in the same building or across the street from each other.
  
  
• The BC Conservatives began advance voting without releasing a costed election platform, with leader Lorne Doerkson saying the party’s “fulsome plan” would be released imminently. Doerkson said he wants to ensure the party’s promises are achievable. The BC NDP and Green Party have already released their costed platforms. Premier David Eby criticized the delay, arguing the Conservatives have not explained how they would pay for their promises.
  
  
• BC Green Leader Emily Lowan announced the party’s mental health reform proposals, including adding mental health as a fourth option in 911 emergency services and covering six annual visits with a mental health professional through the Medical Services Plan. The Greens say the changes would improve access to support while strengthening protections around consent, capacity, involuntary treatment, and independent oversight. Lowan also criticized the NDP’s approach to involuntary care, arguing that mental health and substance use challenges require evidence-based solutions that prioritize dignity and human rights.
  
  
• CentreBC Leader Elenore Sturko announced a $25-million-a-year rural emergency room stabilization fund to help keep emergency departments open across BC. The proposed fund would cover locum doctors and nurses, travel costs, and virtual emergency room backup. Sturko says the plan would reduce wait times and improve public accountability in health care.

Support Our Work:

The British Columbia Institute doesn't accept any government funding and never will. We think you should be free to choose, for yourself, which organizations to support. If you're in a position to contribute financially, you can make a donation here:

If you're not in a position to donate, we understand, but if you appreciate our work, you can help by spreading our message. Please forward this email to your friends, and help make sure every British Columbian knows what's going on in our province.