Lorne Doerkson Unveils B.C. Conservative Public Safety Plan

B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson announced a comprehensive public safety plan on October 6, 2026, in Vancouver, aimed at increasing law enforcement and curbing illegal drug use. The proposal includes hiring 250 police officers through the Justice Institute of B.C., 500 RCMP officers, and 150 civilian staff over five years to support regional and rural communities. To address judicial bottlenecks, Doerkson proposed hiring 50 new Crown prosecutors and seeking federal funding for 20 additional trial judges.

Addressing the toxic drug crisis, which has caused over 18,000 deaths in British Columbia since 2016, the B.C. Conservatives intend to end the safe supply program established by the BC NDP. The plan would prohibit illegal drug use in hospitals, shelters, and publicly funded supportive housing while expanding access to naloxone.

B.C. Conservative incumbent Claire Rattée supported the measures to stop public drug use, citing her own experience with addiction. The proposals follow calls from the National Police Federation for increased funding for rural officers and contrast with the BC NDP's 2022 pledge of $230 million in police funding.