B.C. NDP Leader David Eby, right, and B.C. Conservative interim Leader Lorne Doerkson sit at the same table before taking turns speaking at a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade event with the leaders of B.C.'s major parties ahead of a provincial election, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

By The Canadian Press

British Columbia NDP Leader Eby floats new shipyard in B.C., Conservatives tax cuts

Oct 13, 2026 | 1:00 AM

The leaders of the two major parties running in British Columbia’s election pitched business leaders with infrastructure commitments, including a new shipyard and promises of tax cuts.

NDP Leader David Eby and Conservative interim leader Lorne Doerkson appeared at a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade event on Tuesday along with Green Leader Emily Lowan to speak for 10 minutes each and then take pre-selected questions in advance of the Oct. 24 election.

Eby says his party would build a new shipyard in partnership with the federal government, so new B.C. ferries and other vessels, such as icebreakers, can be built in British Columbia.

He also promised his government would make a manufacturing jobs fund worth $60 million permanent, and expand food processing opportunities across the provincial Agricultural Land Reserve.

Doerkson says his party would supercharge the provincial economy by cutting taxes and trimming permitting times for large investments.

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He says a Conservative government would establish a 120-day approval process for capital projects worth more than $250 million, permanently cancel the proposed expansion of the provincial sales taxes, and exempt machinery, equipment and software from PST for three years.

Green Leader Emily Lowan says her party would implement a new industrial strategy that would lessen British Columbia’s dependence on exploiting natural resources, while the party’s proposed tax on the ultra-wealthy would help pay down the deficit.

A televised leaders’ debate is set for Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2026.

Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

British Columbia NDP Leader Eby floats new shipyard in B.C., Conservatives tax cuts

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