Setting the scene
The BC fall session concluded on a dramatic note, with debates throughout the term being centred on major projects, forestry, health care, pipelines, and internal partisan feuding. The session ran from October 3rd to December 3rd, broken up by the tabling of the federal budget on November 4th which triggered a shift in focus within the province from forestry to the potential development of a new pipeline. The session was extended to allow for the attendance at the BC First Nations Leaders’ gathering. The event had a similar focus in tone, as Premier Eby stood alongside First Nations Chiefs and speaking out against the potential of a new pipeline and oil tankers on the north coast. The Premier focused much of his session on the economy, with energy taking up much of the space. This was underlined when the Premier threatened to call an early election, should the Energy Statutes Amendment Act not pass the Legislature.
Political threats emerged for both the BC NDP and BC Conservatives as each of their leaders underwent leadership reviews. Both leaders received the nod from party membership with Premier Eby receiving 82 per cent of the vote, and John Rustad receiving 71 per cent; however, the following weeks would see a very different outcome for the BC Conservatives. Post-vote, two more Conservative MLAs became independent members, and we’d see multiple efforts to remove John Rustad as leader. This came to a head during the final day of the legislative session when 20 MLAs within the Conservative caucus signed a letter indicating they had lost confidence in him as a leader. Rustad continued to insist he was staying on as leader throughout the day but eventually announced he would be stepping down as leader the following morning. This marked the abrupt end of the session, and sets the stage for a break period that might not be as quiet as usual. At the end of the session the legislature seat count sits at NDP: 47, Conservatives: 39, Greens: 2, OneBC: 2, Independent: 3.
Pipeline politics
Any goodwill that Premier David Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith had built around national unity dissolved under the spectre of an oil pipeline to BC’s north coast. Premier Eby made his disagreements known following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to energy policy between Alberta and the Federal Government. While a number of the points of the MoU could be contentious for the BC government, the clause related to the oil tanker ban in BC’s North Coast is one of the prominent sticking points. The clause states that the Federal Government can make “appropriate” adjustments to the oil tanker ban make loading and shipping feasible at the end of the northern route. The Oil Tanker Moratorium was enacted in 2019 by the federal government to protect BC’s northern coastal ecosystems and communities from oil spills. Premier Eby was vocal that the tanker ban is the “foundational social license piece for tens of billions of dollars of investment in B.C..” While his initial response was in seemingly absolute opposition, the Premier later softened is response indicating that should the ban be kept in place, he would be open to a new pipeline. This comment was the first sign of any alignment with Alberta, and conversely with the federal government who is focused on national projects to increase economic development and independence. This pressure, along with public polling that shows 53 per cent of British Columbians are in favour of a new pipeline creates a dynamic situation for the BCNDP government as they attempt to manage a number of stakeholders that in most cases have polar opposite views. This includes weighing the effects of being at odds with Alberta as well as the federal government.
The state of the BC Conservatives
The BC Conservatives have experienced a whirlwind of controversy since becoming official opposition with the latest being John Rustad’s ousting and resignation as party leader. Rustad who formed the BC Conservatives after being removed from BC United, saw his leadership come under increasing scrutiny during the 2025 Fall Session with claims questioning his leadership repeatedly being leaked to the media. In response, Rustad attempted to find the source of the leak by searching Conservative MLA’s phones and stated that any caucus members who were not loyal would be expelled from the party. Around this time, word spread regarding Caucus’s displeasure of Rustad’s leadership in light of the exiting of colleagues and the lack of overall morale within the party. Then in a stunning escalation, the BC Conservative Board released a letter requesting Rustad step down. A further letter came out from 30 separate riding associations, again requesting his removal as leader. In response to both letters, Rustad refused to step down. The increasing tension came to a head on December 3rd when 20 of 39 MLAs signed a letter expressing their loss of confidence in John Rustad’s leadership citing “professional incapacitation” and went as far as designating MLA Trevor Halford as interim leader. Despite this, Rustad came forward indicating he would not resign and was still the leader. This led to an awkward and dramatic sitting of the Legislature as MLA Halford was put forward as interim leader, as Rustad remained in the Leader of the Opposition’s seat. The Legislature and all debate came to a close hours early and the legislature adjourned an entire day early. Thursday morning, in a turn of events John Rustad abruptly called a news conference at the Legislature at 9:00am and announced that he would be stepping down as leader of the BC Conservatives but staying on as the MLA for Nechako Lakes. While the dust appears to have settled for now, the BC Conservatives have moved forward with their interim leader in what seems to be business as usual. 2026 will show whether this internal strife was an early Christmas gift for the BC NDP, or if it will reunite and galvanize the BC Conservative movement and offer a strong opposition for Premier David Eby to face in the new year.
Priorities
The fall 2025 session saw the passing of 19 pieces of legislation. The Attorney General and Deputy Premier, Niki Sharma set a new record of the most pieces of legislation presented by a Minister in one week. The pieces of legislation spanned a range of topics, from privacy and online protection measures, health measures related to vaping products and cost recovery for those health damages and business focused measures related to consumer protections and best business practices. The BC Conservatives presented private members bills ranging from affordability, mental health, emergency response, public safety, and interprovincial trade. The BC Greens presented bills such as the Residential Tenancy Amendment Act—which would only allow landlords to raise rent on vacant units by the same amount as on an occupied one, aimed at eliminating the incentive to evict tenant— and the Business Practices and Consumer Protection (Greenwashing Prevention) Amendment Act. The Green Party notably voted against the government’s Energy Statutes Amendment Act—the Act in which Premier Eby threatened to call an election if not passed—which forced the Speaker to break the tie with his vote in favour. OneBC, a party formed of previous BC Conservatives, put forward multiple bills surrounding be opposed to UNDRIP, DEI, and general equity legislation. Though a short session the amount presented was extensive.
In November, Premier Eby and Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon announced the Look West Jobs and Prosperity Strategy as a blueprint to position British Columbia as a national economic engine focused on accelerating major projects, strengthening the workforce, and expanding high-growth sectors. The strategy prioritizes streamlined permitting and regulatory clarity, giving industry faster and more predictable pathways to investment while ensuring B.C. can attract and train the skilled talent required for complex project delivery. It also commits to strengthening export infrastructure and diversifying market access to reinforce Canada’s competitiveness in trade, technology, aerospace, life sciences, natural resources, and other key sectors.
DRIPA in practice
Premier Eby has defended the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act as a cornerstone of reconciliation, but recent court decisions have highlighted the complexity of putting it into practice. The Court of Appeal ruling on mineral tenure and the Cowichan Tribes decision granting Aboriginal title over private land in Richmond illustrate the tension between upholding Indigenous rights and maintaining legal and economic certainty. The Premier has signaled he will appeal the Cowichan decision while pursuing amendments and clarifications to ensure DRIPA provides clear guidance without undermining provincial authority.
What to watch for
Speculation has already begun whether Premier Eby will call an early election, although the probability of this coming to fruition is low. As the Conservatives go through their own leadership review and if the Party continues to operate in a fog of chaos, it may be tempting for the Premier to try and take advantage of a weakened opposition in hopes to secure that sought after majority he nearly received during the last election.
The interim leader of the BC Conservatives Trevor Halford lost no time making his first moves in the role asking for the government to immediately repeal the province’s Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples Act and all related legislation. Halford, as did Rustad, argues the recent Court of Appeal decision gives judges undue authority to reinterpret provincial laws through the lens of UNDRIP which undermines legislative supremacy and creates legal uncertainty across the province.
This debate will continue to unfold in the new year. Premier Eby is almost certain to reject the Conservatives’ call to repeal DRIPA, but he will need to strike a careful balance between advancing reconciliation and responding to growing economic pressures, particularly around major projects. For the BC Conservatives, the coming months are crucially important. They must demonstrate they are a credible government in waiting by adopting election-ready positions. This may prove challenging during a leadership race where message discipline has become a perennial issue.
Key dates
- December 12 – Natural Resource Permitting Engagement Period Ends
- January 6 – Input period ends for Private Members Bill M 216 – Professional Reliance Act
- January 20 – 23 – B.C. Natural Resources Forum
- January 26 – Federal House of Commons reconvenes
- February 24-26 – Assembly of First Nations Education
