Was this the wildest week in B.C. politics? Looking back on seven days of upheaval

Last week saw a tumultuous period in British Columbia's political scene, culminating in NDP Leader David Eby announcing a snap election for October 24th. Eby addressed the growing speculation around early elections, instructing his party's legislators and Elections BC to be "election ready."

The Conservative Party faced a leadership crisis as party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay came under intense pressure. Findlay faced her caucus in Vancouver, where former leader John Rustad and MLA Claire Rattée demanded her resignation. Additionally, some caucus members and others linked to the Conservatives alleged being targeted by a private investigator. Findlay, however, remained defiant, stating she was "not going anywhere."

In response to the turmoil, 12 Conservative legislators, including Rustad and Rattée, were expelled from the caucus by Findlay. A group of eight former Conservative legislators also joined the CentreBC party, with Peter Milobar becoming its new leader. Eby made a series of election-related announcements at the municipalities convention, including a decision to pause the provincial sales tax expansion, a $90-million tariff support package for businesses, and an order for BC Ferries to build future vessels in the province.

Findlay eventually announced her resignation as Conservative leader, citing it as the "right decision for our movement and our province." The NDP caucus met to discuss election plans and Findlay's resignation. Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson, returning from vacation, was appointed interim Conservative leader by the party's board. Five legislators were restored to the Conservative caucus under Doerkson’s leadership, while Rustad called for talks to unite CentreBC and the Conservatives.

Meanwhile, NDP Health Minister Lana Popham and Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene announced they would not seek re-election. Conservative legislator Linda Hepner, along with some other caucus members, also quit in the wake of the leadership crisis. Eby called the snap election, framing it as a critical moment for the province amid the looming threat of a U.S. trade war.

Seven CentreBC legislators rejoined the Conservatives, while Independent Brennan Day became the new leader of CentreBC. Hepner, former mayor of Surrey, stated she would not run in the provincial election.