Provincial party leaders made their pitches to the business community on Tuesday at an event hosted by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.
BC NDP leader David Eby, BC Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson, and BC Greens leader Emily Lowan each set forth a different vision for how British Columbia can get its economy back on track.
BC NDP leader David Eby makes his pitch to the business community:
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) October 13, 2026
"Providing that certainty and that path forward in uncertain times is what we're all about. We're going to stand up, we're going to protect, and we're going to build." pic.twitter.com/3HMVAYui2C
Eby was the first to take the stage. His plan consisted of three parts: stand up, protect, and build. He stressed the need to diversify trade away from the United States and attract new partners from elsewhere in the world, citing the volatility and unpredictability of President Donald Trump.
BC NDP leader David Eby outlines three things he would do to get the province’s economy back on track:
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) October 13, 2026
- Slash gas prices by 10c/litre
- Support local businesses’ ability to invest
- Prioritize procurement from BC companies pic.twitter.com/UGAjz8vhA2
When asked how a BC NDP government would get the province's economy back on track, Eby said he would do so by slashing gas taxes by 10 cents per litre, supporting local businesses' ability to invest, and prioritizing government procurement from BC companies.
BC Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson makes his pitch to the business community:
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) October 13, 2026
"We want investment growth, we want job creation and environmental responsibility — our job is to clear the roadblocks." pic.twitter.com/gvA7mXivHV
Next up was Doerkson. His pitch was simple — government ought to create the conditions for business to thrive and then get out of the way. He vowed to "permanently" repeal the PST expansion on a number of business-related products and services, and cut red tape to speed up project approval timelines.
BC Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson outlines what he would do to get the province’s economy back on track:
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) October 13, 2026
- No new/increased taxes
- Scrap PST on more business needs pic.twitter.com/ZBZ9smYZrn
When asked how a BC Conservative government would get the province's economy back on track, Doerkson reiterated his promise to not introduce any new taxes or increase existing ones, and permanently scrap the PST on certain business needs.
BC Greens leader Emily Lowan makes her pitch to the business community:
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) October 13, 2026
"I'm looking forward to working with you to build an economy for the next 50 years — not the last 50." pic.twitter.com/Y6Zq2F64nm
Last but not least was Lowan. She argued that in an era of increasing uncertainty, BC should be looking forwards, not backwards, for solutions — and that the owners of the economy and wealth should be locals, not foreign multi-nationals.
BC Greens leader Emily Lowan outlines what she would do to get the province’s economy back on track:
— Sitka Media (@sitkamedia) October 14, 2026
- Reduce “worker flight” via affordability measures
- Province-wide rent protections for small businesses
- Implementation of Green Industrial Strategy
- Universal childcare pic.twitter.com/o0Z5vGF0id
When asked how a BC Greens government would get the province's economy back on track, Lowan said she would do so by reducing "worker flight" via affordability measures, implement province-wide rent protections for small businesses, usher in her Green Industrial Strategy, and ensure everyone has access to universal childcare.
The trio are set to face off in their first debate Wednesday evening.
