The inevitable happened on the floor of the B.C. legislature Thursday: Premier Christy Clark’s government was defeated 42 to 44 in a historic confidence vote led by the NDP and supported by the Greens.
It is now expected that Clark will meet with Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon to inform her the government of the day has lost the confidence of the house, which met Thursday to debate last week’s throne speech.
It will be up to Guichon to decide whether the NDP and Greens, which agreed to a power-sharing agreement after the May 9 election, should govern — or whether another election should be called.
NDP leader John Horgan, who could quickly become the province’s next premier, released a statement after the vote, saying it was “a step toward a new government that puts regular British Columbians first.”
“Working together, we have the opportunity to lower costs for families who have been left behind for too long,” he said. “We can shorten health care wait times and invest in better schools for our kids. We can build a sustainable economy and create good paying jobs for people in communities across B.C.”
Before Thursday’s vote, which didn’t require the vote of Liberal MLA Steve Thomson who doubles as Speaker, Clark delivered a speech to support the throne speech. In her opening remarks, she noted how unusual it was for a premier to engage in debate on a throne speech.
“But we are in unusual times in British Columbia — we all acknowledge that,” said Clark, who has been premier for six years.
She addressed the Liberals’ recent and dramatic policy shifts, which saw the governing party borrow major planks from the NDP and Greens, including imposing a ban on union and corporate donations to parties, eliminating tolls on the Port Mann Bridge and increasing welfare rates.
She said the throne speech was written with “an open mind and deep humility,” while protecting the Liberals’ core values, including job creation and building a strong economy.
“It’s an acknowledgement, a sincere acknowledgement that we didn’t get it all right,” she said of the policy shifts. “It is an expression of renewed priorities based on what voters told us, including that they want us to work across party lines with one another.”
Earlier in the day, several opposition MLAs, including Green Party Andrew Weaver accused Clark of delaying a confidence vote that she knew she would lose.
“Instead, her government has chosen to play political games that are designed to undermine cooperation and stability,” he said. “Let me be clear: Stability does not depend on this premier holding onto power. The Greens stand ready to work with all parties once the government has demonstrated it has the confidence of the house.”
Weaver’s speech was interrupted by jeers from Liberal MLAs before the Speaker interjected and allowed the Green leader to continue and ask Clark why she implied to reporters that another election is needed.
Clark responded saying Weaver campaigned that he was going to be an independent voice in the legislature. Instead, Clark said, Weaver was taking “orders” from the NDP and refused to consider the Liberals’ bill that was introduced earlier in the week to ban union and corporate donations.
“Now that member stands up and says he’s willing to work with anybody,” she continued. “Nobody believes you anymore.”
Weaver has said his party and the NDP are prepared to ban union and corporate donations once a new government is in place. The NDP and Greens have accused the Liberals of making desperate policy shifts in recent weeks to win votes.
Clark framed her party’s shift as a need to adapt, citing former premier WAC Bennett as being “famous for his second look.” She also pointed out her predecessor Gordon Campbell, although she didn’t name him, brought in the carbon tax.
“Leaders don’t lead by refusing to adapt,” she said. “Leaders do not lead by refusing to hear and refusing to listen.”
Near the end of her speech, Clark reflected on her years as premier and said she loved the “energy and spirit” she found in people in every corner of the province.
“So if this marks the end of our government, then I stand here in humility and with great gratitude to the people of British Columbia,” she said. “If this results in an election, then we will put forward our throne speech to the people of the province.”
Weaver released a statement after the vote, reiterating his party couldn’t count on the Liberals to deliver change in the province. That’s why the party reached an agreement with the NDP, he said.
“Under this agreement, an NDP government has the confidence of a majority of members in the house,” he said. “We have everything we need to work together to advance good public policy that will make a difference in the lives of British Columbians.”
@Howellings
