Explainer: Parties running in B.C.'s October provincial election

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal NewsPolitics Explainer: Parties running in B.C.'s October provincial election An updated look at the parties running in the B.C. provincial election Author of the article: By David Carrigg Published Sep 24, 2026 Last updated 36 minutes ago 3 minute read Join the conversation Prepare to go to the ballot box in B.C. on Oct. 24. PHOTO BY SEE NOTES / DIRECTION /PNG Article content British Columbians are heading to the provincial ballot box on Oct. 24, just two years after the last election that kept the B.C. NDP in power. Article content Back then, there were 47 B.C. NDP MLAs, 44 Conservative party MLAs and two Greens. Article content Article content A lot has changed since, with voters this time around having a choice of six political parties. Article content Article content B.C. NDP Article content The B.C. NDP has been in power since July 2017, under two leaders. Article content Article content The party evolved from the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation that was formed in the early 1930s to represent workers and farmers. Article content Sunrise Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content Party leader David Eby became premier in November, 2022, following Premier John Horgan’s retirement due to health. Eby got a renewed mandate in October 2024 and has overseen a rough two years in power. Article content The party had 47 MLAs when the writ was issued on Sept. 22. Article content On the day of Eby’s announcement, three of his cabinets ministers said they would not run again, including the popular Ravi Kahlon (Delta North). Then, on Sept. 23, former Finance Minister Brenda Bailey said she would not be seeking re-election. Article content NDP stalwarts Adrian Dix (Vancouver Kingsway) and Mike Farnworth (Port Coquitlam) will be running. Article content B.C. NDP leader and Premier David Eby crosses a fence following an election speech focused on health care at Peace Arch Provincial Park PHOTO BY JASON PAYNE /PNG Article content Article content Conservative party of B.C. Article content This party surged in the lead-up to the 2024 election, winning 44 seats. It was not the Conservative’s first rodeo, having formed in 1902 and dominating…