This week we’re looking ahead to the BC Conservative government’s transition on November 20th and considering what the early indications of Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson’s priorities could mean for organizations across the province. With MLA and caucus training now wrapped up, and just over a week remaining until MLAs and Cabinet Ministers are sworn in and mandate letters are issued, much is still to be determined. Party leadership and MLAs face immense pressure to fill a large staff vacancy gap in key roles across MLA offices, ministries, and executive roles. Several key leadership appointments in the Premier-designate’s Office and in the NDP Opposition have recently been announced, painting a clearer picture of who will be shaping decisions and where organizations should focus their early engagement efforts. As November 20th draws closer, timing is crucial for organizations to strategize and execute their advocacy efforts, as engagement will only ramp up once cabinet and critic appointments have been announced.
Analysis of the last week
Conservative update: This past week marked another critical staffing milestone, with the appointment of several key players within Doerkson’s leadership team. On Monday, Premier-designate Doerkson announced that Angelo Isidorou will serve as Principal Secretary; Allie Blades will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff; and Shane Mills will serve as Executive Director of Communications and Issues Management. These individuals bring considerable political experience to their roles and are strong indications of the party’s ideological leaning within the Conservative movement.
Blades and Mills worked in the previous BC Liberal government, and Blades served as interim chief of staff under former interim Conservative leader Trevor Halford. Meanwhile, Isidorou is a founding member of the BC Conservative Party and has no official ties to, or involvement with, the former BC Liberal and BC United parties. These individuals were heavily involved in the campaign and helped bring the Conservative Party of B.C. to election victory on October 24th.
Their appointments to senior leadership positions in the incoming government are strategic for a number of reasons. They serve as a clear indication of the centrist, centre-right coalition Premier-designate Doerkson intends to maintain. Their experience working with the party in its early, formative, and tumultuous days of formation is also a big advantage to Doerkson and will help them set a direction that maintains continuity, clarity, and unity to move priorities forward.
Finally, having these team members in leadership positions, particularly Allie Blades as Interim Chief of Staff, allows them to properly vet all incoming personnel and staff. Blades will oversee all caucus applications. With her now in place, the party can move ahead with the massive task of staffing all offices to be ready for governing by the time the legislature is recalled.
NDP update: After the absentee votes were counted, MLA Paul Choi for Burnaby South-Metrotown no longer holds his seat. The NDP announced Jennifer Whiteside as their interim leader last week and she took the stage for the first time in her new role. Rumours are swirling regarding who will be the Chief of Staff for the Interim Opposition Leader’s office. The options range from old guard staff from the time of Premier Horgan to new candidates from the past election campaign. NDP MLAs are currently scheduled to be sworn in on November 26. The critic roles will also be announced at this time.
Green update: BC Green leader Emily Lowan attended MLA orientation (“MLA school”) alongside other new MLAs in the past week. She is expected to be a strong voice of opposition.
Caucus training and Conservative Caucus meeting wrap up in Victoria: Newly elected and returning MLAs from all parties descended on the Legislature for their post-election caucus training. This unique event brought together members for training sessions on the day-to-day demands of being an elected MLA. That same week, Conservative MLAs convened in Victoria for their first in-person caucus meeting since the election. Premier-designate Doerkson was met with cheers when he arrived. Speaking to his new caucus colleagues, he emphasized that the election is now over, governing is the priority, and although they “won as Conservatives,” they now “represent every single person in this province.”
Election recount results arrive: An additional seat was gained by the BC Conservatives after the final provincial election count, with David Xie defeating NDP incumbent Paul Choi by 64 votes in Burnaby South-Metrotown. The results give the Conservatives 64 seats, the NDP 27 and the Greens two, although judicial recounts are still pending in Ladysmith-Oceanside and Kelowna Centre due to narrow margins.
Conservatives’ fundraising outpaces other parties: The BC Conservatives raised more than $2.7 million in the final fundraising quarter ahead of the 2026 provincial election, nearly three times the $986,000 raised by the NDP and significantly more than the $346,000 collected by the Greens. Nearly 90 per cent of Conservative donations came after Lorne Doerkson took over as interim leader in September.
Pressure mounts to shut down Massey Tunnel construction project: Work on the $8.4-billion Massey Tunnel replacement project is continuing despite the incoming BC Conservative government’s plans to scrap it in favour of a 10-lane bridge estimated to cost $6 billion. Concerns have been raised about the cost of continuing pre-construction work on a project the Conservatives have vowed to cancel. Premier-designate Doerkson says the new government will make a decision on the crossing soon after taking office.
Federal watch
Federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled Budget 2026 on November 5, outlining major investments in economic development, infrastructure, affordability and natural resources. Specific to B.C., the budget includes up to $3 billion in federal support for the George Massey Crossing project, $20 million for flood mitigation, $113 million for Tumbler Ridge recovery, and $6.5 billion nationally to support the forestry sector.
Ottawa also identified several B.C. projects for community funding, including Vancouver’s Chinese Canadian Museum, parks in Delta and New Westminster, and the Cowichan Valley Basket Society, alongside support for Tla’amin Nation’s forestry acquisition and Pacific salmon restoration.
In response to the budget, Premier-designate Doerkson said in a statement that B.C. is “open for business and ready to build.” He went on to state how he found the budget an “encouraging and ambitious statement about Canada’s economic future and British Columbia’s place in it.” Doerkson referenced major projects including Roberts Bank Terminal 2, LNG Canada Phase 2, the North Coast Transmission Line, and the George Massey Crossing as good opportunities, which will supply well-paying jobs. He also emphasized how his incoming government is ready to work with the federal government, First Nations and communities to get these projects done and to build up B.C.’s economy.
Doerkson’s budget response sends a strong signal of cooperation to Prime Minister Mark Carney as they begin their relationship. It’s early days, but the alignment demonstrated so far could be a positive sign for businesses and sectors hoping to invest and build in B.C.
What kind of Conservative government is taking shape? This week, incoming Principal Secretary Angelo Isidorou described the Conservatives as neither a return of the former BC Liberals nor the BC Conservative Party of 2024, but rather “the Lorne Doerkson Conservative Party.” His comments reinforce Doerkson’s leadership following speculation about his future as leader that surfaced during the campaign, while also offering an early indication of the direction his government intends to take. Isidorou emphasized that while the party “ran on a Conservative platform,” its tone and approach have evolved, with economic growth, affordability and keeping ERs open expected to be central priorities. As the Conservatives prepare to take office, we’ll be watching how this approach translates into policy decisions and which campaign commitments receive attention first.
What issues are shaping the legislative agenda before cabinet is sworn in? So far, Doerkson’s stated priorities once in office have been largely economic in nature. These priorities are to raise the personal income tax exemption to $32,000, repeal the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), lower the deficit, work with the Province of Alberta to build the Pacific Link Pipeline, and to target housing challenges through removing or changing housing legislation in Bill C-44.
Doerkson’s incoming government cannot make any progress on these priorities until his caucus is sworn in, his cabinet is appointed and their mandate letters issued, offices are staffed, and the Legislature is recalled. Until then, these commitments are only conceptual; however, they are clear indicators of Doerkson’s government’s economic and fiscal focus.
For organizations implicated in these priorities, this is an important time to prepare, respond, and plan for future engagement. Several groups, including some First Nations and stakeholders, have already expressed opposition to or skepticism about the Premier-designate’s incoming legislative agenda. As his new cabinet is formed and the Legislature recalled, Doerkson will be under considerable pressure to make quick progress on these priorities while his government’s popularity is high.
How soon can the new government get to work? While the transition team is already laying the groundwork, November 20 marks the point when Doerkson and his cabinet can formally begin acting on their priorities. Early announcements and executive decisions could come quickly), but incoming ministers will still need to staff their offices, receive briefings and review existing policies, projects and outstanding decisions. The timing of the Legislature’s return will also be a key factor, as commitments requiring legislative changes (including the promised repeal of DRIPA) cannot move forward until the House sits. Doerkson has left the door open to a short fall legislative session, although no date has been confirmed.