Port Moody-Burquitlam B.C. NDP candidate Rick Glumac attends a campaign stop with Leader David Eby, in Coquitlam, B.C., on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

By The Canadian Press

B.C. New Democrat says most don’t know what party stands for

Oct 28, 2026 | 10:30 AM

A former British Columbia New Democrat legislator who lost his Metro Vancouver seat in Saturday’s snap election says the party has soul searching to do after its government was toppled by B.C. Conservatives, who won a decisive majority.

Rick Glumac, who had represented Port Moody-Burquitlam since 2017, says in a Facebook post that most British Columbians don’t know what the party stands for, and its problems go “much deeper” than discontent over the early election call.

He also refers to the party’s future leadership, saying that putting things back on course requires more than “reshuffling of the same people at the top.”

A caucus spokesperson says the outgoing NDP caucus will meet online today, while the incoming caucus will meet in person in Victoria on Thursday.

The Conservatives came out of Saturday’s snap vote elected or leading in 63 ridings, with the NDP elected or leading in 28, although two have a margin of fewer than 100 votes that would trigger recounts.

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Glumac, who served as minister of state for artificial intelligence, says the NDP “lost clarity, both internally and with the public, about who and what” they we were fighting for.

He says the New Democrat government made some good progress, but “the ship we were sailing was drifting,” and it will take a fundamental shift in how the NDP operates.

He called for a “healthy leadership contest” after the election-night resignation of outgoing Premier David Eby.

“This is not the time to seek leadership by acclamation,” Glumac says in the post issued Monday. “This is the time to reconnect and to inspire regular British Columbians and show that we deserve to be (in) government again.”

The New Democrat caucus issued a statement Tuesday saying it would choose an interim leader this week and separately “take a clear and honest look at the campaign” and determine the timing and process for a leadership race.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 28, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

B.C. New Democrat says most don’t know what party stands for

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