Conservative Party of British Columbia leader Lorne Doerkson said he would make tax relief and a first-day review of provincial finances priorities, Global News reported, as preliminary results showed his party leading in 64 districts.
At his first post-election news conference, Doerkson described the Oct. 24 vote as a choice for change, the outlet reported. He promised an independent review of the province’s finances on his government’s first day and said he wanted a full financial picture before a budget is presented.
Elections BC, British Columbia’s provincial election authority, reported 862,074 votes for the Conservatives, or 48.06%, in its Oct. 25 preliminary snapshot. The BC NDP had 670,282 votes, or 37.37%, and led in 27 districts; the BC Green Party had 196,730 votes, or 10.97%, and led in two. Turnout was 48.1%, with 99.75% of ballot boxes reporting. The new figures update EconoTimes’ earlier report on the Conservatives’ district leads.
The party’s Oct. 16 campaign announcement proposed raising the basic personal exemption to $32,000. It estimated the change could save working British Columbians up to $1,000 a year and a typical couple $2,000. The plan also proposed removing provincial sales tax on machinery, equipment and business software for three years. The party framed its platform around affordability and economic growth.
The Conservatives announced Oct. 25 that Kim Henderson would chair the government transition team. The party said she would volunteer while taking unpaid leave from Trans Mountain Corporation.
Guidance from the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia places elected members’ oath-taking before the lieutenant governor’s invitation to the leader of a party with majority support to become premier. Elections BC’s calendar schedules the final count for Nov. 6-10.
