Lorne Doerkson
Lorne Doerkson MLA | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Cariboo-Chilcotin | |
| Assumed office October 24, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Donna Barnett |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | BC Conservative (2024–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
|
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada |
Lorne Doerkson is a Canadian politician who has served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (MLA) since 2020.[1] Representing the riding of Cariboo-Chilcotin, he is a member of the Conservative Party of British Columbia. He previously served as a member of the BC Liberal Party (later BC United) before crossing the floor to the Conservative Party in 2024.[2]
Early life and career
Lorne Doerkson has lived in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region for nearly three decades. He spent 20 years in the newspaper industry as a publisher with Black Press, focusing on communications and community outreach. After leaving the publishing sector, he transitioned to financial consulting with Investors Group, where he provided financial planning and advisory services.[3][4]
In addition to his professional roles, Doerkson has been involved with several community organizations, including the Williams Lake Stampede, the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce, the BC Community Newspaper Association, and the Hough Memorial Cancer Society. He has received two Community Booster awards from the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce for his contributions to local initiatives.[5]
Doerkson resides in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region and has raised two daughters there.[4]
Political career
BC Liberals / BC United
Doerkson was first elected as the MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin in the 2020 British Columbia general election, representing the BC Liberal Party, which rebranded as BC United in 2022.[1] During his first term, he served as the BC United caucus chair and critic for water, land and resource stewardship and rural development, as well as emergency management and climate readiness.[6]
BC Conservative Party
In May 2024, Doerkson announced his decision to join the Conservative Party of British Columbia, becoming the party's third member of the legislature.[6][7] Doerkson was re-elected in the 2024 provincial election with 70.13% of the vote, defeating BC NDP candidate Michael Moses.[8] In November 2024, he was named assistant deputy speaker of the BC Conservatives.[9]
Policy positions
Doerkson has prioritized healthcare reform, advocating for increased access to medical services in rural communities. He supports initiatives to fund non-governmental clinics and provide incentives for healthcare professionals to work in high-needs areas.
On environmental issues, Doerkson has called for enhanced forest management, wildfire prevention, and ecosystem restoration efforts, including reforestation and the reduction of glyphosate spraying. He has also emphasized the importance of infrastructure investments to support rural communities.
Doerkson has expressed support for reconciliation with Indigenous communities through financial partnerships and collaborative initiatives, such as cultural centre's and resource development projects.[4]
Electoral record
| 2024 British Columbia general election: Cariboo-Chilcotin | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Conservative | Lorne Doerkson | 13,710 | 69.60 | +18.25 | ||||
| New Democratic | Michael Moses | 5,991 | 30.40 | -2.06 | ||||
| Total valid votes | 22,224 | 100.00 | – | |||||
| Total rejected ballots | ||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||
| Registered voters | ||||||||
| Source: Elections BC | ||||||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | |||||||
| 2020 British Columbia general election: Cariboo-Chilcotin | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures | |||
| Liberal | Lorne Doerkson | 6,600 | 51.25 | −7.52 | $29,284.50 | |||
| New Democratic | Scott Andrews | 4,180 | 32.46 | +6.23 | $1,965.55 | |||
| Green | David Laing | 1,379 | 10.71 | −4.29 | ||||
| Independent | Katya Potekhina | 457 | 3.55 | – | $1,453.00 | |||
| Libertarian | James Buckley | 263 | 2.04 | – | $0.00 | |||
| Total valid votes | 12,879 | 100.00 | – | |||||
| Total rejected ballots | ||||||||
| Turnout | ||||||||
| Registered voters | ||||||||
| Source: Elections BC[10][11] | ||||||||
References
- ^ a b Angie Mindus, "ELECTION 2020: Preliminary results show Lorne Doerkson elected in Cariboo Chilcotin". 100 Mile Free Press, October 24, 2020.
- ^ Depner, Wolf (May 31, 2024). "BREAKING: MLA Lorne Doerkson departs B.C. United, joins B.C. Conservatives". Salmon Arm Observer. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ Roden, Barbara (October 19, 2024). "Lorne Doerkson re-elected in Cariboo-Chilcotin". The Williams Lake Tribune.
- ^ a b c Davies, Patrick (October 3, 2024). "ELECTION 2024: LORNE DOERKSON". The Williams Lake Tribune.
- ^ "Lorne Doerkson at Conservative Party of BC". Conservative Party of BC.
- ^ a b MacLeod, Andrew (May 31, 2024). "Another BC United MLA Defects to Rustad's Conservatives". The Tyee. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ Little, Simon (May 31, 2024). "BC United MLA defects to BC Conservatives just months before provincial election". Global News.
- ^ "BC election 2024 results: Cariboo-Chilcotin | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
- ^ Lamb-Yorski, Monica (November 22, 2024). "Cariboo Chilcotin MLA named B.C. Conservatives assistant deputy speaker". The Williams Lake Tribune. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
- ^ "2020 Provincial General Election Final Voting Results". electionsbcenr.blob.core.windows.net. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
- ^ "Election Financing Reports". Elections BC. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
