Election 2026: Campaign Roundup - Day 30

Welcome to Day 30 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.

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Campaign Roundup - Day 30:

• BC NDP Leader David Eby accused Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson of “going into hiding” and acting as though the party has already won, after Doerkson skipped media questions Tuesday and focused on fundraising events ahead of Saturday’s election. The Conservatives say Doerkson will return to public campaigning Thursday with an announcement and media availability in Metro Vancouver, followed by a Surrey rally. Advance voting closed Wednesday, with approximately 711,000 ballots cast in the first five days, down about 9% from the same period in 2024.
  
  
• The BC Conservatives filed a complaint with Elections BC over an NDP mailer urging voters to re-elect the party, alleging it contains misleading claims about Conservative health-care spending and resembles official election correspondence. The envelope included phrases such as “voting information enclosed” and “time sensitive - open immediately,” while the sponsor disclaimer appeared in small print. NDP Leader David Eby defended the letter as an explicit party communication, and Elections BC said it would review the complaint.
  
  
• The BC Greens have announced a plan to support local craft breweries and cider producers by reforming provincial liquor markups. The party would implement the BC Craft Brewers Guild’s revenue-neutral proposal, lowering markup rates for small breweries while gradually increasing rates as producers grow, with higher rates for the largest producers. The Guild estimates the changes would save craft breweries $16.3 million annually. The Greens would also review cider markups and create dedicated craft cider sections in BC Liquor Stores to support local producers and BC-grown fruit.
  
  
• The Greens also announced a plan to introduce province-wide commercial rent and vacancy controls, limiting rent increases during tenancies, at renewal and between tenants. The party also proposes allowing municipalities to tax vacant commercial properties and giving tenants, municipalities, First Nations, cooperatives, and community organizations the first opportunity to purchase qualifying commercial properties, with provincial financing and loan guarantees.
  
  
• A small number of closely contested ridings could determine the outcome of B.C.’s election, with Surrey emerging as a key battleground. The city’s 10 ridings were highly competitive in 2024, with six decided by fewer than 800 votes, including Surrey-Guildford by just 22 votes. The NDP is also targeting Conservative-held seats in Kelowna Centre, Courtenay-Comox and Maple Ridge East, while the Conservatives are looking to flip NDP-held ridings including Coquitlam-Burke Mountain, Richmond-Steveston and Vancouver-Langara. The Greens are focused on retaining West Vancouver-Sea to Sky and electing leader Emily Lowan in Saanich North and the Islands.

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