B.C. Premier David Eby holds a media availability following election results at the legislature in Victoria on Oct. 29.CHAD HIPOLITO/The Canadian Press
B.C. NDP Premier David Eby says his MLAs will be back in the legislature before Christmas, but his government will make no move to introduce any new laws until the new year as it addresses the commitments it made during this month’s divisive election campaign without having to face confidence votes.
In his first remarks since his party was formally asked Monday by the Lieutenant-Governor to form its third government in a row, an ebullient Mr. Eby said he will wait for the results of a judicial recount in two close ridings – likely within two weeks – before swearing in a cabinet. With the completion of the final count of all ballots, the seats in the legislature stand at 47 for the NDP, 44 for the Conservatives and two for the Greens, giving the NDP a majority government but only by one seat.
Mr. Eby thanked voters and said he would be meeting with the Green Party and its two MLAs later on Tuesday to explore how the two parties could work together, citing his priorities from the campaign: tackling the high cost of living, housing unaffordability and improved health care.
“My commitment to every MLA that was elected is: If you share our values around making sure this is a welcoming province for everyone, that we’re going to fight hate and racism – these are non-negotiables for us – then we’re happy to work with you,” he said in Victoria.
Mr. Eby added he is also open to working with any of the BC Conservatives, including by having one of them become the Speaker. The Speaker is, by convention, elected from the government benches. If the NDP has to give up one of its MLAs for the non-partisan role, it means the legislature could be tied on some votes. The non-partisan Speaker would be forced to vote to break a tie – a highly partisan act.
The NDP faced a similar situation in 2017 when it formed a minority government by forging a deal with the three Green MLAs and convinced a BC Liberal MLA to become Speaker.
The existing seat counts aren’t expected to change even though the results in the Kelowna Centre and Surrey-Guildford electoral districts are so close that they have triggered automatic judicial recounts. A recount is overseen by a British Columbia Supreme Court justice and usually takes place within a week or two of the final tally, depending on the availability of a judge.
Later Tuesday, BC Conservative Leader John Rustad told reporters in Victoria he was proud his party came within a few ridings of forming government, having not elected a representative since 1976. With a smile, he said he’s aware his political rival is calling his MLAs asking for them to volunteer for the Speaker’s job. He said he wouldn’t support offering one of his MLAs for the job unless the New Democrats adopt many of his party’s campaign pledges.
“If David Eby wanted to call me and say that he wants to move forward with significant parts of our agenda, maybe there’s something that we could be talking about,” he said.
On election night, a defiant Mr. Rustad told supporters he would do whatever it takes to force another election as soon as possible. On Tuesday, he was more conciliatory, stating he is prepared to support the NDP government on measures he believes align with his own platform.
Still, he reiterated his threat that his party would attempt to bring down the government and force an early election if the NDP brings in what he deems to be “destructive” measures.
He said he wants to push the NDP government to offer more help to the forestry sector, to expand involuntary care of those struggling with addiction, and to eliminate at least the consumer portion of B.C.’s carbon pricing.
Asked about the NDP’s proposed $1,000 grocery rebate, Mr. Rustad suggested that could be one measure his caucus would support.
“As a Conservative Party, anything that will help the average, everyday hard-working person in this province is something that we would certainly look at supporting,” he said. “Obviously that’s a discussion we would have to have at caucus, depending on whether that’s a piece of legislation that Dave Eby could bring forward this fall.”
BC Conservative Leader John Rustad says he will look to topple David Eby's New Democrats if the government continues to introduce policies that hurt the people of British Columbia. Rustad's BC Conservatives came close to defeating the NDP in the Oct. 19 election, winning 44 seats in the 93-seat legislature.
The Canadian Press