Just after premier-designate Lorne Doerkson congratulated her in his victory speech, B.C. Greens Leader Emily Lowan said she was “scared” for what a Conservative victory will mean for the province—and vowed to oppose the incoming government. The Conservatives defeated the Greens and the B.C. NDP handily on Saturday—with preliminary results showing the party winning or leading in 64 of 93 ridings. Lowan was elected as MLA in her riding of Saanich North and the Islands, and Jeremy Valeriote was projected for re-election for his seat in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, but the Greens failed to gain on the two seats they held before David Eby’s snap election. “British Columbians can be grateful for her passion, and all that she’s done to inspire thousands of young British Columbians to get involved. So, thank you, Emily,” Doerkson said, speaking about Lowan in his speech. Greens going to battle Lowan took the stage in Saanich after winning her seat and said her party had inherited the responsibility of holding Doerkson’s majority Conservative government to account. “We are the only party who is equipped to stand against the Conservatives and their existence,” she said. “Over the next four years, our job is to be a voice for the many people who be who will be harmed by their policies, and that is going to require some serious movement building.” Lowan said the Conservative party’s platform includes cuts to programs that British Columbians rely on most, and that its agenda is one of culture wars and attacks on human rights. “It stands against everything that brought this movement together: the belief that everyone deserves safety and care,” she said. “We know what’s coming: cuts to healthcare, childcare, public services that people count on, attacks to the rights of trans people, Indigenous communities, and immigrants, and a government that will put fossil fuel profits ahead of our future and billionaires ahead of workers.” Lowan said the Greens will stand with workers, marginalized groups and everyone who depends on public services moving forward. “We will fight alongside you. We are the only party left standing with a credible plan to stand up to the mega corporations that run both of these establishment parties,” she said. “We will defend every service they try to cut. We will stand in front of every neighbor they try to scapegoat. We will defend trans rights and DRIPA.” Conservative response Doerkson spoke in Vancouver on Sunday, reiterating promises to repeal DRIPA, raise the personal tax exemption and support the Pacific Link Pipeline. The premier-designate was asked for a response to Lowan’s claims he would cut services and put vulnerable people at risk. “Vulnerable people in this province have been at risk. They’ve been at risk for the last decade, and we’ve seen that all over our province, and I am very committed to trying to find, as I’ve said repeatedly, a better path forward for all of British Columbians, and I am committed to providing support,” he said. Doerkson said he remains “committed to fully funding publicly accessible health care” and that he will “bolster” front-line supports.
