BC NDP Leader David Eby wins Vancouver-Point Grey, loses election
The Canadian Press decision desk is projecting that British Columbia NDP Leader David Eby has been re-elected in his riding of Vancouver-Point Grey, but his party has lost the election to the B.C. Conservative Party.
Eby has held the riding since 2013 after defeating then-premier Christy Clark of the B.C. Liberals, cementing his reputation as a political giant killer.
He would go on to become premier himself in 2022, after the late John Horgan stepped aside as NDP leader.
Eby resigned as the NDP leader tonight, five weeks after calling an election two years early in what was the biggest gamble of his political career.
Lorne Doerkson's Conservative Party has won a majority government.
Eby says he accepts full responsibility for the outcome.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2026.
By Wolfgang Depner | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
B.C. election latest: Voters go to the polls to decide next provincial government
British Columbia is voting on its next government as the snap provincial election called one month ago reaches its culmination.
Here's a look at the latest from polling stations and campaign headquarters of each major party as votes are cast and tallied across B.C.
All times are local.
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6:21 p.m.
Supporters have begun arriving at the B.C. Green Party's election night event in the Greater Victoria area, including outgoing MLA Rob Botterell.
Botterell decided not to seek re-election, clearing the way for Leader Emily Lowan to run.
He says he is proud of Lowan and the party's campaign after NDP Leader David Eby called a snap election.
The outgoing MLA says people in his riding have told him they are "totally impressed" with Lowan's poise and advocacy for Green causes, as well as her passion and vision.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Immigration remains contentious in Alberta following referendum
The Alberta referendum results last week have been celebrated across Canada as a victory for national unity over separatism. With more than three-quarters of voters rejecting a move towards independence, the outcome has also been hailed as a political victory for Prime Minister Mark Carney.
But beneath the headlines lies a less reassuring result for Alberta's immigrants.
Unofficial returns showed the Yes side leading on eight of the nine other referendum questions, including all five concerning immigration and access to public services.
The votes could strengthen Premier Danielle Smith's as she seeks greater provincial control over immigration and restrictions on services for temporary residents.
For Alhan Arsal, a temporary resident from Bangladesh who is pursuing a master’s degree in international relations at the University of Calgary, the results were disappointing although the rejection of separation came as no surprise.
"I can hardly make ends meet as a student," he said. "Paying more for less health care would put many people off from coming here as students in the future."
Arsal said the results of the referendum "make me uneasy and solidify my conviction to leave the province after graduation."
New Canadian Media previously reported on growing unease among Alberta’s immigrants over the referendum and its anti-immigration rhetoric.
Mixed reactions
Dozie Anyaegbunam is a Calgary-based marketing professional and managing editor of The Newcomers. The online publication and podcast explore immigrant experiences in Canada.
Anyaegbunam said the results were "not that surprising, but nonetheless sad to see."
He said he had hoped the No side would prevail, particularly given how temporary residents — who account for less than 10 per cent of Alberta’s population — had been singled out during the referendum campaign.
"We have a lot of work to do about immigrants and their value to the system in every way," he said, describing newcomers as having been used as a "lightning rod" during the referendum campaign.
Imtiaz bin Hafiz, a lawyer who moved to Alberta from Bangladesh in November 2022 and took his citizenship oath on Oct. 21, said he was also unsurprised by the referendum outcome.
"I expected that a large portion of the people would be in favour of the immigration proposals," he said.
However, he pointed to the narrow margins. With roughly 52 to 55 per cent supporting several of the immigration proposals in the preliminary count, Alberta appeared deeply divided.
"In any case, the majority was in favour of the immigration proposals which will, in my opinion, legitimize these sentiments over immigration in the province," Hafiz said.
For Avnish Nanda, an Edmonton lawyer and co-founder of Our Alberta Advantage, a nonpartisan campaign opposing the referendum’s immigration proposals, the margins also raise questions about the strength of Smith's mandate.
He said the premier had sought overwhelming support for her reforms, while her government spent heavily promoting the referendum.
The province budgeted approximately $4 million for an advertising campaign that included television, radio, online advertising and a booklet mailed to every Alberta household. The government was also permitted to campaign for its preferred outcomes using public funds.
Still, the immigration questions passed by comparatively narrow margins.
"Given that the Alberta government outspent our campaign by 40 to one ... I think she lost," Nanda said.
"The No side may not have prevailed on the immigration questions by a few percentage points, but we went into Monday thinking we would be blown out, and we weren't."
Rhiannon Hoyle, Alberta NDP shadow minister for jobs, economy and trade, acknowledged that the Yes votes reflected genuine concerns about affordability, employment, health care and public services.
"Those concerns are real and deserve solutions," Hoyle said. "But let's be clear: immigrants didn't create Alberta's affordability crisis, and blaming newcomers won't fix it."
Hoyle, who is herself an immigrant, said the government must take responsibility for adequately funding and planning public services.
What happens next?
Anyaegbunam expects immigration to remain politically contentious.
"I don't think we're done with these sentiments," he said. "We'll probably see it used again in the coming election season, given how many people voted Yes on the immigration questions."
However, the referendum questions are non-binding, leaving the government to determine how to proceed.
Nanda fears Premier Smith will intensify her immigration agenda, further dividing the province.
"I think we're going to be deeply polarized around this issue, that's for sure."
Hoyle cautioned against interpreting the results as unconditional approval for the government's plans.
"A referendum is not a blank cheque for Danielle Smith to bypass the Constitution or pursue policies that could harm Albertans," she said.
"The government must explain what is legally achievable, what it will cost taxpayers and what the consequences will be for families, workers and businesses."
Manpreet Tiwana, vice-president of the Alberta Liberal Party and an immigrant, also emphasized the limits of provincial authority.
"Alberta has a role to play, but significant aspects of immigration remain under federal jurisdiction, so any proposed changes will require careful consideration and cooperation between both levels of government," Tiwana said.
Hoyle warned that additional financial barriers could discourage the temporary workers and skilled immigrants that Alberta's economy needs.
"Making it harder for them and their families to access essential services could drive away the very talent Alberta needs," she said.
Hafiz was reluctant to predict how lasting the referendum's influence would be.
"A lot of essential services are provided by immigrants,” he said. “Most people in business realize the importance of immigrants in the economy.
Copyright 2026, New Canadian Media. All rights reserved.
Mubin S. Khan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, New Canadian Media.

Alberta Councillor Doubles Down On Push To 'Stop Feeding' Homeless People
Slave Lake Alberta is facing a boycott by a neighbouring First Nation following some comments that were made by a local councillor about the local homeless population.
On September 8, Councillor Joy McGregor provided an update on the Homeless Coalition in Slave Lake. The meeting was recorded on video.
She said the people experiencing homelessness in the community aren't even from there, she then named several nearby Indigenous communities.
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Councillor Joy McGregor
Around the one-hour mark of the video conference, we hear McGregor's comments.
According to CTV News, the Driftpile Cree Nation responded to the comments on Sunday, November 8 in a press release.
"I am calling on our members to move away from supporting Slave Lake’s economy, similarly, we will not be making any capital expenditures in Slave Lake until such time as we receive a public apology," said the release.
Narcity has reached out to Joy McGregor and the Driftpile Cree Nation for comment and we will update this article when we receive a response.
Following her comment in the meeting, McGregor said "I know that that sounds horrible and there will be people down my throat for it. But they have to be accountable. And we have to get them home."
She also noted that homeless individuals have been stealing and "drinking" hand sanitizer and suggested it be hidden away in store aisles like mouthwash.