David Eby’s snap election gamble backfires amid Conservative resurgence

Premier David Eby triggered an early provincial election, assuming the opposition would be too disorganized to pose a threat. The strategy relied on the recent collapse of the B.C. Conservatives under Kerry-Lynne Findlay, whose leadership was marked by infighting and defections. After Findlay stepped down, the party elected former newspaper publisher Lorne Doerksen, who steadied the caucus and attracted former dissenters.

Eby’s campaign, dominated by anti-American messaging and a series of gaffes—including wearing a Patagonia top and criticizing local grocery chain owner Jim Pattison—failed to resonate. A later admission that his family used a $10-a-day daycare spot sparked accusations of hypocrisy. Polls now suggest the Conservatives hold a substantial lead, turning Eby’s gamble into a potential political disaster.