Voters who cast a ballot in the May 9 election will likely find out June 22 which government will lead the province now that Premier Christy Clark has recalled the B.C. legislature.
In a statement issued Wednesday, government house leader Michael de Jong said he informed the Office of the Speaker — on behalf of Clark — that the 87-seat legislature will reconvene June 22.
"The first order of business in this new parliament will be the election of a speaker,” de Jong said. “After which, and in the aftermath of a very close election, the government will seek to determine if it continues to enjoy the confidence of the house."
B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver issued a statement saying, “I’m glad that the premier has finally decided to recall the legislature. In the weeks since the election, it has been encouraging to see all three parties agree that British Columbians want us to work together.”
Weaver said he and his two newly elected Green colleagues, Sonia Furstenau and Adam Olsen, look forward to meeting members of the NDP and B.C. Liberals “so that we can get to work delivering good public policy that will make a difference in the lives of British Columbians.”
NDP leader John Horgan, who was in Vancouver Wednesday, had not issued a statement at the time of this story being posted. Horgan has said he wanted Clark to recall the legislature as soon as possible.
He and Weaver have been making news since the election, after both of their parties agreed to work together to form a minority government. Election results left the Liberals with 43 seats, the NDP with 41 and the Greens three.
At a news conference May 30, Clark acknowledged her government was likely to fall once the confidence of the House was tested. She said she was “more than ready” to take on the job as Opposition leader.
mhowell@vancourier.com
