Election 2026: Campaign Roundup - Day 27

Welcome to Day 27 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 27:

• Conservative Party of BC candidate Margareta Dovgal has pledged to help bring back Vancouver’s Celebration of Light fireworks festival and Santa Claus Parade, while revitalizing the Granville Pedestrian Zone. Dovgal says she would pursue private-sector partnerships and corporate sponsorships to help fund the events, alongside investments in tourism infrastructure. The plan would be supported by the party’s Safe Streets for BC policy, which proposes increased policing, enforcement against open drug use, and measures to address street disorder.
  
  
• The BC NDP announced plans to open new Urgent and Primary Care Centres in Kitimat, Terrace, Parksville-Qualicum Beach, the Cowichan Valley, Richmond-Steveston, Port Hardy, and Greater Victoria if re-elected. The proposed centres would provide more access to timely care for illnesses and injuries closer to home, helping ease pressure on other parts of the health-care system. The Richmond-Steveston centre would be the third UPCC in Richmond.
  
  
• The BC NDP has also announced five housing commitments, including 30-day permit deadlines for eligible small residential builds of up to six units, standardized permitting requirements, and efforts to reduce development charges for multi-unit housing by up to 50%. The party also pledges $390 million for shovel-ready affordable housing projects and to double the number of homes protected through the BC Rental Protection Fund. David Eby says the measures would build on the party’s Homes for People plan, while criticizing the BC Conservatives’ opposition to its housing policies.
  
  
• BC’s municipal elections saw significant turnover on Saturday, with numerous incumbent mayors losing their seats. In Vancouver, Pete Fry has defeated Ken Sim, and Doug McCallum is projected to reclaim Surrey’s mayoralty, defeating Brenda Locke, who replaced him in 2022. Other incumbent mayors projected to lose include West Vancouver’s Mark Sager, Port Moody’s Meghan Lahti, Langley Township’s Eric Woodward, New Westminster’s Patrick Johnstone, and Delta’s George Harvie. The results point to widespread change in municipal leadership across the province.
  
  
• 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 to confirm their respective voting locations.

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