British Columbians woke up Sunday morning to a brand-new political reality.

Lorne Doerkson’s BC Conservatives swept to power over the weekend, securing a major majority after nine years of NDP governance.

As the dust settles on one of the most eventful elections in the province’s history, what comes next?

After the fireworks of a landslide victory over David Eby’s BC NDP, Doerkson promised British Columbians the party was over and he’s ready to get down to business.

“I intend to get to work right away,” he said.

“I intend to work for British Columbia hard, because four years comes quick.”

Doerkson held his first press conference as premier-elect Sunday afternoon, recommitting to his promises of avoiding tax increases and cancelling a Massey tunnel replacement in favour of a bridge.

As well, he shed some light on what his BC Conservatives’ first days in office will look like.

“When this government is sworn in, it will be ready on Day 1, and it will hit the ground running,” Doerkson said. 

“On Day 1, we will launch an independent review of the government’s finances.”

He said he was looking at potentially holding an abbreviated Fall sitting of the Legislature to start working on his priorities, which include setting out an expert commission on keeping emergency rooms open. 

It was also announced that Kim Henderson, former deputy minister to Christy Clark, would lead Doerkson’s transition team. 

Doerkson’s meteoric rise to power – going from unheralded Interior MLA to leading a majority government – has gone far from unnoticed. Prime Minister Mark Carney was quick to congratulate him – and it even got the attention of Donald Trump, who shared the news on his Truth Social account.

“I assure you, that my commitment, my dedication, is to British Columbia,” Doerkson.

One group that wasn’t as quick to offer its congratulations was the province’s First Nations leaders. Doerkson has promised to repeal DRIPA – saying that could come as soon as the Spring sitting – but it’s not clear what kind of framework, if any, would replace it.

“It has not worked in this province, and frankly, it’s caused more problems than I think anything else, so I am committed with working on a great path forward of respect, partnership, friendship, and conversation.”

Terry Teegee, leader of the BC Assembly of First Nations, says DRIPA has been instrumental in allowing for major projects in the province to move forward, and repealing it would be a big mistake.

“To repeal DRIPA will definitely set us back in terms of our relationship with the government,” he said. 

“I think many First Nations across British Columbia are going to fight in terms of much of the progress that has been made over the last 10 years.”

“Without the Declaration, we’re going to see court proceedings and/or civil protests to some of these projects,” he said.

It’s clear the province’s political reality is undergoing a paradigm shift, which starts with the legislature’s major overhaul. Eby watched seven of his cabinet ministers lose their seats in the snap election he called, prompting him to step down as the party’s leader.

“The people of British Columbia have asked us to be official opposition, which is obviously not the result that any of us wanted,” Eby said Saturday. 

“A number of my colleagues, some of the hardest-working MLAs I know for their communities, were not elected tonight. It breaks my heart, and I accept full responsibility for that outcome.”

Eby won his riding, however – as did BC Greens leader Emily Lowan, whose party secured two seats. Amid the lowest voter turnout since the turn of the century, the Greens and NDP combined to account for roughly the same share of the popular vote as the Conservatives. After uniting his party, Doerkson vowed he would do the same for the province.

“I am your premier as much as anyone else’s,” he said. 

“You will have a government that listens to you, works for you, and respects you, however you marked your ballot.”