BC New Democratic Party (NDP) and BC Green Party have reached an agreement to form a 44-seat government for the next four years with NDP leader John Horgan becoming premier, according to announcements made by both parties on Monday, May 29.
With 41 NDP candidates elected in the May 9 election and the Greens winning three ridings, the NDP would govern by a slim majority of one seat in the 87-seat legislature.
During the campaign, NDP and Greens campaigned in agreement on a number of issues.
“We have a lot of areas we agree on where we can affect positive change,” said Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons.
The NDP and Greens released the 10-page deal to the public on Tuesday, May 30. Highlights include opposing the expansion of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline; a referendum on electoral reform; limitations on corporate and union donations; government terms being extended to four and a half years; increasing the carbon tax; a review of the Site C dam; a plan to increase minimum wage to $15 per hour; increased health care and education funding; a ministry for mental health; eliminating medicare premiums; and a poverty-reduction strategy.
“This agreement is designed to enable us to potentially fulfill a four-year term,” said Simons. “A thin margin like this makes everything less certain, but the goal is to fulfill a four-year mandate.”
A speaker must be elected from one of the three parties. If a NDP or Greens MLA is chosen it would leave the legislature even at 43 seats for government and opposition. The speaker only casts a vote in the event of a tie.
“It’s pretty clear any agreement that gives the people of British Columbia what they ask for, and that is a different government, any time that we have an opportunity like that, we have to take it very seriously,” said Simons.
Simons has sat in opposition for 12 years and after winning his riding in a landslide, he is entering his fourth term as MLA. Simons received 13,646 votes, 50.7 per cent of the popular vote.
“I feel really good, like I’ve been on a long trek and now I can see the destination from where I stand,” he said. “It doesn’t mean I’m there yet. I’ve always wanted to be part of a government that brings changes that impact people positively. I’m closer to having hands on the levers to help that happen.”
Reacting to the NDP/Greens agreement, premier Christy Clark announced on Tuesday, May 30, that she will recall the legislature as early as June to face a confidence vote. If the Liberals lose, the expectation is that Clark will resign.
“Clearly the premier operates by her own standards,” said Simons. “The people of the province have voted against another four years of the Liberal government and I’m going to be part of making sure they get what they asked for.”
BC Liberals would then sit in opposition for the first time in 16 years with 43 seats.
Powell River mayor Dave Formosa said the agreement could result in positive and negative ramifications.
On the negative side, Formosa said he is concerned the NDP and Greens will implement a higher carbon tax and the effect it could have on the community.
“That could be the end of our mill,” said Formosa.
On the positive side, there could be action taken on BC Ferries, he said.
“We do know we’d have a bigger friend in the NDP,” said Formosa, “and BC Ferries is a big deal to Powell River.”
