# Lorne Doerkson

Lorne Doerkson is a Canadian politician who has served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (MLA) since 2020. 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.

## Early life and career

Lorne Doerkson has lived in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region for nearly three decades, developing strong ties to the community through his professional and volunteer work. He spent 20 years in the newspaper industry as a publisher with Black Press, gaining experience in 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.
Beyond his professional roles, Doerkson has been deeply involved in local organizations, serving in leadership positions with the Williams Lake Stampede, the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce, the BC Community Newspaper Association, and the Hough Memorial Cancer Society. His efforts in the community have earned him recognition, including two Community Booster awards from the Chamber of commerce.
Doerkson currently lives in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region, where he raised his two daughters. He remains actively involved in local community organizations and continues to support causes focused on youth, healthcare, and rural development.

## Political career
### 2020 election and BC Liberal party

Doerkson was first elected as the MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin in the 2020 British Columbia general election, representing the BC Liberal Party. During his first term, he served as the Opposition Critic for Rural Development and as the Official Opposition Deputy Whip.

### Transition to the Conservative party

In May 2024, Doerkson announced his decision to join the Conservative Party of British Columbia, citing a closer alignment with the values and priorities of his constituents. He described the decision as one of the most challenging of his life but emphasized his commitment to effective representation for Cariboo-Chilcotin.

### 2024 election and Conservative leadership

Running under the Conservative Party banner, Doerkson was re-elected in the 2024 provincial election with 70.13% of the vote, defeating BC NDP candidate Michael Moses. He became the Opposition Critic for Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship. He was also selected to be the BC Conservatives assistant deputy speaker, announced on November 21st. His policy focus includes rural healthcare access, infrastructure development, and resource industries such as forestry, mining, and ranching.

## 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.

## Electoral record

vte2024 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 | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 22,224 | 100.00 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | |
| Registered voters | Registered voters | Registered voters | |
| Source: Elections BC |||||||
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | Swing | |
vte2020 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 | Total valid votes | Total valid votes | 12,879 | 100.00 | – |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | | |
| Registered voters | Registered voters | Registered voters | |
| Source: Elections BC |||||||