B.C. Premier David Eby announced on Tuesday a provincial election is scheduled for Oct. 24. (Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

snap election

October provincial election called in B.C.

Sep 22, 2026 | 12:17 PM

NANAIMO — British Columbians will be going to the polls twice in October, as Premier David Eby secured permission for a provincial election on Tuesday, Sep. 22.

Eby, who is less than two years into this mandate, said last week that his caucus needed to be election ready.

General election day for the provincial election will be on Saturday, Oct. 24, only a week after general election day for local elections province-wide on on Saturday, Oct. 17.

The premier called reporters to Victoria on Tuesday, where he asked Lt.-Gov. Wendy Cocchia to dissolve the legislature, setting off a snap election campaign.

Eby said last week that his caucus needed to be “election ready.”

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Since then, the NDP has made a series of campaign-style announcements, including a temporary pause of the expansion of the provincial sales tax and an order that BC Ferries’ next round of vessels be built in British Columbia.

The election call comes after weeks of upheaval in the BC Conservative Party ranks with several MLA’s quitting the party.

Embattled former leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned on Sunday and was replaced by interim leader Lorne Doerkson.

—With files from The Canadian Press.

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by NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

October provincial election called in B.C.

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