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The Conservative Party of B.C. has said it would have to amend the party’s constitution for interim leader, and now premier-designate, Lorne Doerkson to keep the top job after the provincial election.
While the B.C. Conservatives won a majority government on Saturday night, it’s unclear whether that constitutional change has been made.
Doerkson was appointed interim leader of the party last month. When the election was called the following day, questions swirled around whether an interim leader could, in fact, stay on if their party formed government, having been appointed to the position rather than elected by party members.
On Monday morning, Doerkson told CBC’s Daybreak Kamloops he will stay on as leader of the Conservative Party, and as premier once he is sworn in.
“It’s an administrative situation within the party that they’re dealing with right now,” he said, adding he was expecting an official announcement later Monday — one that never came.
“We’ve had unbelievable support obviously throughout the province, and we’re certainly committed to me remaining as premier of the province.”
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CBC News contacted the Conservative Party of B.C. for more details, but did not hear back.
The B.C. Conservative Party previously said it would “pursue the appropriate means” under its constitution to ensure Doerkson would stay on as premier should the party form government.
“A premier chosen by British Columbians deserves the certainty of leading his party,” the party said.
It’s not clear yet whether that’s happened, or will soon.
A post to X from the Conservative Party of B.C. on Sept. 23, 2026, shows its intention to ensure Doerkson remains its leader. (Conservative Party of B.C./X)
Leadership history
The B.C. Conservative Party’s leadership has been tumultuous over the last year.
In December, former leader John Rustad resigned after the party’s board announced they had lost confidence in him, and that he had been removed as leader. Rustad had been acclaimed leader in 2023, after being kicked out of the B.C. Liberal caucus in 2022.
Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford sat as interim leader until a successor was elected.
Kerry-Lynne Findlay was elected leader of the Conservatives in May. She then resigned in September, citing conflict within the party. That conflict included the departure of several caucus members, some by choice, others not.
Doerkson was appointed interim leader on Sept. 21, one day after Findlay stepped down.
Because he was appointed and not elected by party members, it was unclear whether he would stay on in that role or if the party would initiate the process to find a permanent leader.
A week or so later, the party started referring to him specifically as leader, rather than interim leader.
Now, Doerkson said he feels safe in his role as party leader, and as leader of British Columbia.
“We’ve got so much support across British Columbia that I feel pretty good.”