B.C. leaders clash in sole televised election debate

NDP Leader David Eby defended calling an early provincial election during British Columbia's only televised leaders' debate. He argued the government's one-vote majority was unworkable, forcing ill colleagues to vote from hospital beds to prevent collapse.

Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson faced scrutiny over campaign director Katy Merrifield's social media post denigrating Islam. Doerkson attributed the post to her past trauma as a sexual violence survivor and confirmed she would remain in her role.

“Her Twitter feed reads like the worst corners of the dark web”

Eby interrupted Doerkson to press him on retaining Merrifield, describing her online feed as resembling "the worst corners of the dark web." Doerkson maintained she had apologized and removed the offensive content.

Green Leader Emily Lowan, 25, highlighted her experience as a renter and former minimum-wage worker. She argued this background makes her uniquely attuned to cost-of-living and climate crises affecting everyday British Columbians.

Polls show the NDP and Conservatives neck-and-neck with the Conservatives holding a slim lead. Both Eby and Doerkson appeared nervous at the debate's outset, reflecting the high stakes of the closely contested race.