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Doerkson promises ferry contract scrutiny and greater government transparency

British Columbia's premier-designate also pledges tax relief and LNG expansion as he assembles an administration with limited experience in government.

Channel: Global News ·

CanadaStory of October 29, 2026Trari Newsroom

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BC Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson lays out priorities for his incoming government

Things we can learn from the video

Press to jump

1:31Doerkson expects a task force examining provincial finances to launch within the coming week.
2:43He retains commitments to tax relief, business PST exemptions and changes concerning property tax deferrals.
3:32Economic plans include LNG expansion and pipelines; the Massey crossing discussion follows at 05:28.
6:40He criticizes DRIPA's effectiveness while reiterating his commitment to relationships with First Nations.
7:33Ferry executive severances prompt calls for transparency; overseas vessel contracts come under discussion at 08:52.
10:33He closes by reaffirming his campaign pledge to introduce Wi-Fi on ferries.

BC Ferries contracts, executive severance payments and access to government information are among the issues Lorne Doerkson says his incoming administration will examine. British Columbia's premier-designate sets out those commitments in an interview with Canada's Global News, alongside promises to expand the economy and retain his election platform's tax relief.

Speaking to Ben O'Hara-Byrne on Focus BC, Doerkson calls for greater transparency and a review of freedom-of-information rules. He also discusses scrutinizing ferry contracts, including arrangements for vessels manufactured overseas. The service carries passengers and vehicles between coastal and island communities, making its operations a practical concern well beyond provincial politics.

The interview, titled "BC Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson lays out priorities for his incoming government," begins with the challenge of building his cabinet. Doerkson identifies Teresa Wat as one of the few members with previous experience in government. He expects a task force examining provincial finances to launch within the coming week, but says that exercise does not mean retreating from his promises: "We're really committed to everything that I promised."

Those priorities include tax relief, provincial sales tax exemptions for businesses and changes concerning property tax deferrals. On economic development, he describes conversations with the prime minister about liquefied natural gas and pipelines. "I want to build BC. I want to supercharge our economy," he says. The Massey crossing and federal support for infrastructure also feature.

Asked about Grand Chief Stewart Phillip's remarks concerning DRIPA, Doerkson reiterates a commitment to relationships with First Nations while criticizing the law's effectiveness. The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act commits the province to upholding the principles of the corresponding UN declaration in its laws and policies.

The interview ends with a smaller, readily recognizable campaign commitment for ferry passengers: "We need to have Wi-Fi on our ferries."