Legislative Reports British Columbia the legislative sitting to test the confidence of the Assembly was brief but eventful. A number of historic and unprecedented events have unfolded in recent months in British Columbia. The General election results and a minority parliament extraordinarily close results of the May 9 provincial general election led to a minority parliament, decades The preliminary election result was 43 seats for the after BC’s last experience with a minority government BC Liberal Party, 41 for the BC New Democratic Party in 1952. As anticipated given the close party standings, (NDP) and three for the BC Green Party. A party needs 44 seats for a majority in BC’s 87 Member Assembly. A Message To Two judicial recounts and the counting of about My Younger Self 179,000 absentee ballots completed on May 24 did not change party standings from the preliminary result. The BC Liberal Party received 40.36 per cent Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet of total votes cast and the BC NDP 40.28 per cent - MP for Hochelaga the narrowest result between political parties in BC (Quebec) history and a separation of only 1,566 votes. The BC Green Party received its largest vote share ever in BC, If I had known 50 years at 16.84 per cent. The BC Green Party’s leader, Andrew ago that I would be elected Weaver, was the first BC Green Party candidate elected twice as an MP, if I had to the Assembly in 2013; in increasing their seat count known that my leader and to three Members, the caucus is still short of the four- my party would value me Member threshold for recognized party status under enough to appoint me whip BC’s Constitution Act. As such, Mr. Weaver and his and entrust me with the caucus are currently recognized as Independents in well-being of my colleagues, and if I had known the Legislative Assembly. how well my knowledge and abilities would help me support so many people in need, I would have On May 29, John Horgan, Leader of the Official had a lot more self-confidence. I would have done Opposition, and Mr. Weaver delivered a “2017 this a lot sooner. Confidence and Supply Agreement” to Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon to indicate the BC NDP To all you young or not-so-young women, I say, was prepared to form Government with the support draw up a list of your strengths and attributes, and of Mr. Weaver and his caucus. The agreement pledges start chasing your dreams. support of the Independent (BC Green) caucus on confidence and supply matters; their support with 52 CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/AUTUMN 2017 respect to other issues would be determined on an candidates to have official party status in the Assembly. “issue by issue basis.” Both bills were defeated at First Reading, 44-42. Premier Christy Clark indicated on May 30 that she On the same day, the Official Opposition tabled intended to continue as Premier and would request the required written notice of an amendment to the the Lieutenant Governor convene the Legislative Address in Reply that stated that the Government Assembly in order to test the confidence of the House. does not enjoy the confidence of the House. They also The Members of the Executive Council were sworn in requested, but were not granted, unanimous consent at a ceremony at Government House on June 13. Many of the House to immediately vote on the motion of of the 22 Ministers were in Cabinet in the previous Address in Reply. Parliament and retained their portfolios. On June 28, Mr. Horgan, Leader of the Official The 87 Members of the Legislative Assembly were Opposition, moved, seconded by Sonia Furstenau, sworn in during three separate caucus ceremonies the Independent (BC Green) Member for Cowichan held on June 7 and 8, 2017. Valley, the amendment to the Address in Reply stating that the government does not have the confidence of First Sitting of the First Session of the 41st Parliament the House. The 41st Parliament opened on June 22, 2017 and Mr. Horgan was the only Official Opposition Member the first item of business that morning was to elect a to speak to the amendment. Ms. Furstenau and her Speaker. Only one Member agreed to allow his name to caucus colleague Adam Olsen, the Independent (BC be considered and therefore Steve Thomson, Member Green) Member for Saanich North and the Islands, for Kelowna-Mission, was acclaimed Speaker. In order made their first speeches in the Assembly in support to be eligible to serve as Speaker, Mr. Thomson had resigned as Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations the day before. A Message To Following the brief morning proceeding, the My Younger Self afternoon featured the Speech from the Throne delivered by the Lieutenant Governor. The NDP and Independent (BC Green) caucuses indicated they Deb Matthews would not support the motion of Address in Reply. MPP for London North Premier Clark described the Speech from the Throne Centre (Ontario) as an attempt to gain the support of other parties in the Assembly and to reflect what her party had learned Your point of view is as from the recent election results; however, the opposition valid as anyone else’s. Don’t criticized the speech for taking a substantial number of be afraid to stand strong items from the opposition parties’ platforms. and express it. Throughout the week’s sitting, in keeping with their Be conscious and argument that a confidence vote should not be delayed, deliberate in defining what the Official Opposition had only one speaker, Carole is important to you, and what your values are. James, Member for Victoria-Beacon Hill, participate Then stay true to them. in the debate on the Address in Reply on June 26. That day, Mr. Weaver also commented on the Throne Work hard. Speech, noting that he would not be voting in favour of the Address in Reply. Get out of your comfort zone. Try your best to see the world from many points of view. Get to On June 26, the Government introduced two bills: know people who aren’t like you. a campaign finance reform bill, and a bill amending the BC Constitution Act and the Legislative Assembly Be kind. Management Act to lower the threshold for recognition as a party from four Members to three, which would Read. Listen. Travel. Laugh. Learn. Love. Enjoy. allow the Members elected as BC Green Party CANADIAN PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW/AUTUMN 2017 53 of the non-confidence amendment. The final Member administrative services provided by the Legislative to close debate on the amendment to the Address in Assembly, such as the library, financial and human Reply was Premier Clark on the afternoon of June 29. resources services, parliamentary committees support and parliamentary education and outreach. The A division was called on the amendment to the Legislative Assembly also offered three presentations Address in Reply and the motion carried 44-42, with on parliamentary procedure, one for each caucus. the NDP and Independent (BC Green) caucuses voting in favour. The main motion on the Address in Reply Death of a Former Member was technically spent, due to the non-confidence amendment to it having carried; however, for purposes Grace McCarthy, died on May 25, 2017 at the age of procedural completion, the motion as amended of 89. As a Member of the Legislative Assembly first was also voted on. A second division on the amended elected in 1966, and re-elected in 1969, 1975, 1983 and Address in Reply motion resulted in the same vote: 1986, she held a variety of Cabinet portfolios. She is 44-42. credited with a number of achievements such as policy changes to ensure a woman could apply for a mortgage Speaker Thomson, Deputy Speaker Greg Kyllo, without a male guarantor, establishing BC’s first toll- and Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole free telephone help line for children, and championing Simon Gibson, all Members of the BC Liberal Party, BC’s hosting of Expo ’86. Ms. McCarthy was also resigned their positions as presiding officers following BC’s first female Deputy Premier. She was known as the Government’s defeat. At five sitting days, or eight a dedicated and tireless figure in the BC Social Credit calendar days, Speaker Thomson is the shortest- party, playing a key role in rebuilding the party after serving Speaker in BC history. its 1972 electoral defeat. Alayna van Leeuwen Lieutenant Governor’s decision Committee Research Analyst Following adjournment, Premier Clark proceeded to Government House to meet with the Lieutenant Governor. Shortly after the Premier’s departure from Government House, Mr. Horgan arrived to meet with Her Honour, and then announced to the waiting media that he had been asked to form a Government. The Lieutenant Governor later issued a statement that she had accepted Premier Clark’s resignation, and had asked Mr. Horgan to form a Government. Questioned by the press later in the evening, Premier Clark said that she had requested dissolution, but Her Honour declined to grant her request. Mr. Horgan was sworn in as BC’s 36th Premier on July 18, along with Members of the Executive Council. Member orientation Alberta The 2017 provincial general election saw 27 new Members elected. The publicly accessible Members’ 3rd Session of the 29th Legislature Orientation website (http://members.leg.bc.ca/) has been updated to provide information for new, The 3rd session of the 29th Legislature, which had returning and non-returning Members on issues commenced on March 2, 2017, adjourned for the ranging from the role of a Member, payroll, transition summer on June 5, 2017.