The first day of debate in the B.C. legislature under a hung parliament produced the strange spectacle of an NDP government-in-waiting and their Green allies voting down policies they favour.
On Monday, June 26, during the first day of debate in the 41st session of the B.C. legislature, the NDP-Green Party alliance tried to force an early non-confidence vote on last week’s throne speech, in order to expedite the inevitable defeat of the Liberal minority government, but failed because it required unanimous vote, which the Liberals did not grant.
Under procedural rules, the throne speech must have debate first. A vote on the throne speech will not be held until Thursday, when it is fully expected it will be defeated by the Greens and NDP, which hold a slender plurality of 44 seat to the Liberals’ 43.
Two bills proposed by the Liberals were defeated Monday by the Greens and NDP in 42-44 votes. (Liberal MLA Steve Thomson did not vote, as he is now Speaker of the House – a position that is expected to last only as long as his Liberal government lasts.)
One of the bills put forward by the Liberals would have granted the Green Party caucus official party status. (Typically, a party needs four seats whereas the Greens have only three.)
The other bill would have banned corporate and union donations to political parties – something promised by the NDP in the recent election campaign.
Last week’s throne speech was filled with new policies lifted directly or indirectly from the NDP and Green platforms.
Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver explained in a news release why he voted against the Liberal bill to grant the Greens official party status. He said he would not vote for any Liberal bill until the confidence of the house has been tested.
"British Columbians are tired of these partisan games and attempted power plays," Weaver said in a June 26 release.
"Today, the B.C. Liberals surprised us with a vote to award the B.C. Green Caucus official party status. Moments earlier I spoke with the media and made it clear that our caucus will not debate legislation until the confidence of the house has been tested.”
Once the throne speech is voted down Thursday, it is expected that Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon will allow the NDP, formally backed by the Green Party with a four-year supply and confidence agreement, to form the government.
But that by no means will bring certainty to B.C.’s political landscape.
A new Speaker will likely be needed, and since the Liberals have indicated that none of their members plan to stand for that position, the NDP or Greens will have to offer up one of their own members, which puts them in a tenuous position. They will have the same number of votes as the Liberals – 43 – and the Speaker will need to cast votes to break ties.
That uncertainty has B.C.’s business community in pessimistic mood about B.C.’s economic future.
A recent Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) survey of its membership finds a majority of members concerned about the province’s economic future. Asked if they were more or less confident in B.C.’s economic future, following the May 9 election, 76% said they were less confident.
