British Columbians vote in early election, with David Eby's job on the line
British Columbians go to the polls today in an early election called by NDP Leader David Eby in the biggest gamble of his political life.
The five-week campaign saw the major parties fight over issues from health care to housing, the province's record deficit and the increasing cost of living.
Polls open at 8.a.m. and close at 8 p.m. in the snap election that Eby called two years early, initially saying he needed a new mandate to tackle challenges posed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
But Eby said Friday the election was needed to end the frustrations of a "stalled out" legislature where the NDP held a one-seat majority, and he regretted not making that clearer.
Interim Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson secured his party's top job two days before the election call in September, and managed to woo back legislators who quit the party under the divisive leadership of Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
It's Green Party Leader Emily Lowan's first provincial election and Eby spent the closing days of the campaign urging her party's supporters to consider voting NDP to prevent splitting the vote.
The legislature at dissolution officially consisted of 47 New Democrats, 29 Conservatives, two Greens and 13 Independents, with two vacant seats.
But that does not take into account that most of the nominal Independents were Conservatives who returned to the party after Doerkson became interim leader — they may not all be reflected in the official numbers, but the Conservatives went into the election holding about 37 seats.
Elections BC has said votes cast on election day will be counted by hand, despite electronic tabulators being used for the first time in 2024. The agency cited the tight timelines in the snap election and the technical requirements to get the machines up and running.
Mail-in and absentee ballots won't be counted until about two weeks after election day, with Elections BC saying it needed time to ensure that only eligible voters vote, and only once.
More than 891,000 advance votes were cast, representing about 24 per cent of all registered voters.
The campaign saw the NDP propose a new tax bracket for those making more than $1 million to help fund health care, while pledging price caps on some basic groceries and to create a training program for qualified international medical graduates already living in B.C.
The Conservatives promised no tax increases and to raise B.C.’s basic personal income tax exemption from $13,216 to $32,000, resulting in a $1,000 tax cut for most individual workers.
Doerkson said his top priority was repealing the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
The Greens promised to tax household wealth over $50 million, to open a community health centre in every riding, and to reform the province's oil and gas royalty framework.
Other parties contending for votes include CentreBC, led by former Conservative Elenore Sturko, and OneBC, whose interim leader Dallas Brodie is another former Conservative.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2026
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Inspections continue on Mercier Bridge
No further emergency repair work to the Mercier Bridge is anticipated following initial inspections, according to the Quebec transport ministry (MTMD), but the ministry has not finished assessing the condition of all the bridge’s similar beams.
Last Tuesday, the left Montreal-bound lane was suddenly closed due to a crack in a steel beam that was discovered during maintenance, causing major traffic problems and renewing calls for the aging infrastructure to be replaced.
The beam was repaired over the weekend, a process that involved drilling into the crack and reinforcing the beam with steel plates.
“As a precautionary measure, a new round of inspections for steel beams similar to the one that was repaired is scheduled for the coming weeks,” said MTMD spokesperson Louis-André Bertrand in a statement to The Eastern Door, noting last week’s inspections targeted easily accessible beams.
Planned maintenance will continue no matter the findings of these inspections.
So far, it hasn’t been confirmed how the need for emergency closure arose, according to the MTMD.
“The ministry is continuing its analysis to determine the exact cause of this crack,” Bertrand said.
Grand chief objects to reaction
Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) grand chief Cody Diabo took to Facebook this week to praise Kahnawake workers and criticize regional leaders for failing to offer assistance on traffic, which is exacerbated by regional development Kahnawake opposes, and for taking stances about what should happen on Kahnawake territory without involving the community.
Diabo said Highway 132 and 138 through Kahnawake territory, and the bridge itself, must not increase their footprint under Kahnawake’s “not one more inch” policy.
“Kahnawake has our own priorities, and it does not include making it easier for our community to be a shortcut over the bridge,” he wrote. “We have never been asked how is the development affecting us, instead (we) are expected to accept it and stay silent.”
He tagged Chateauguay mayor Eric Allard, who had called for action on the bridge, including the construction of a new crossing over the Seaway. He also tagged new premier Paul St. Pierre Plamondon and member of the National Assembly Felix Rheaume, who was elected under the Liberal banner to represent the riding of Chateauguay, which includes Kahnawake.
Allard was not available for an interview, and the city of Chateauguay offered no comment.
marcus@easterndoor.com
Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Copyright 2026, The Eastern Door. All rights reserved.
Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Eastern Door.
U.S. to drop some tariffs on Canadian exports, says Maine senator
A United States senator says nine categories of Canadian exports will be exempted from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada.
A statement released by Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, says the categories include corrugated paper, plastic boxes and several types of machinery important to her state's agricultural industries.
Collins says the tariff exemptions are for products crucial to Maine's agricultural industries, including blueberry, potato, apple and seaweed producers.
It comes just ahead of November's midterm elections and Trump's trade war with Canada has become a ballot box issue in Collins' state.
Trump slammed an array of Canadian products with 50 per cent tariffs in August after trade talks with Ottawa broke down.
He banned imports of certain Canadian goods, including motorcycles and some dairy products, the following month.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2026.
By Kelly Geraldine Malone | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Un dîner tout en blanc débarque à Québec dans un lieu secret et ça s'annonce magique
Gastronomie, party et paysage magnifique!
Tu n'as pas besoin de chercher quoi faire à Québec pour passer un moment magique dans cette ville pittoresque ce mois-ci, puisque le Diner en Blanc (DEB) est de retour après cinq ans d'absence et c'est l'événement estival à ne pas manquer. Imagine la scène : tu as minutieusement élaboré ta tenue originale d'un blanc immaculé, ton pique-nique est préparé ou réservé, puis tu te rends à un point de rencontre prédéterminé avant d'être mené.e vers un lieu secret où une vague de personnes en habits monochromes se rassemble pour un moment gastronomique chic d’inspiration française et festif à souhait.
Après avoir mangé, place à la fête sous le ciel étoilé, lancée en allumant des sparklers distribués aux invité.e.s. Danse, musique live et ambiance électrisante sont au programme.
Voilà ce qui t'attend au fameux DEB qui célèbre du même coup son dixième anniversaire dans un esprit mettant la mode, la nourriture et la convivialité à l'honneur
Si le lieu reste secret, l'organisation te promet un emplacement remarquable, alors que des éditons passées ont envahies le Grand Théâtre de Québec, le Quai 22 au Port de Québec et le Jardin Saint-Roch, pour te donner une idée. Cela dit, note qu'il y a certaines règles à respecter afin de participer.
Les personnes qui le souhaitent pourront donc apporter leur propre repas ainsi que leur vin et leur champagne (les deux seuls types d'alcools permis afin de respecter l'influence française de l'événement), ou réserver l'un des deux menus conçus pour la fête.
Ceux-ci offrent trois à quatre services pour deux personnes et détiennent chacun au moins un plat proposé par des chefs locaux de renom comme Arnaud Marchand et Olivier Langlois de Chez Boulay, Pierre Gagnon de Le Bedeau ainsi que Emeline Pero de Les Botanistes.
Tu peux sélectionner La boîte découverte à 85 $, qui inclut un parfait de foie gras au nard des pinèdes avec confit d'échalotes à l'aronie et pain brioché, du saumon confit badigeonné d'une laque miroir de vin rouge présenté avec une émulsion d'algues, et pour le dessert, une tartelette au citron meringué et osmanthus.
La seconde option est affichée à 110 $ et se compose d'une burrata farcie au praliné amandes et fruits séchés, d'un gravlax de flétan de la Gaspésie servi avec rhubarbe, agastache, cucurbitacées et riz soufflés, d'une mosaïque de poireaux au nori et magret de canard cuit au sel, ainsi que d'un tiramisu aux épices et grains du Québec.
Tu as déjà l'eau à la bouche? Alors, n'hésite pas à réserver ta place dès maintenant sur le site du DEB.
Le Diner en Blanc de Québec
Prix : 51 $ par personne pour l'inscription - À partir de 85 $ par repas pour deux personnes
Quand : Le 22 août 2024
Adresse : Un lieu secret dévoilé quelques minutes avant l’événement
Site Internet du Diner en Blanc