Three years since NDP made deal with Greens to take down B.C. Liberals
Posted June 29, 2020 4:16 pm.
Last Updated June 30, 2020 1:33 am.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – A changing of the guard in Victoria took place three years ago Monday.
On June 29, 2017, the New Democrat and Green parties joined forces to topple the minority B.C. Liberal government led by then-Premier Christy Clark.
Christy Clark has resigned as Premier. NDP Leader John Horgan will form government and be BC's next premier #bcpoli https://t.co/kYi30HIXKA pic.twitter.com/ByiCoGnqmx
— CityNews Vancouver (@CityNewsVAN) June 30, 2017
.@christyclarkbc arrives at government house to speak w/ Lt. Gov after Liberal@government fails confidence vote #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/X8G6MIUbdM
— Lasia Kretzel (@rhymeswpretzel) June 30, 2017
Today British Columbians finally have the change they voted for. Thank you to everyone who got us here. The hard work starts now. #bcpoli
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) June 30, 2017
The NDP secured 43 of 87 seats in the legislature, needing a deal with the Green party – which won three ridings – to form a government. In exchange for the support of the Greens, the NDP had to agree to a number of conditions, including that it would hold a referendum on electoral reform.
The power-sharing deal was dubbed the CASA – the Confidence and Supply Agreement.
Lt. Gov. Judith Guichon invited NDP leader John Horgan to form a government, becoming B.C.’s first NDP administration since 2001.
The Liberals didn’t let go of power easily, though.
Clark asked Guichon to dissolve the legislature and hold another election but Guichon refused.
“It’s been a rollercoaster for all of us, for all British Columbians of all political persuasions. I’m grateful that today we were able to demonstrate in the Legislature that the Green and the NDP alliance, when it comes to matters of confidence, is strong,” Horgan said at the time.
“There’s an enormous amount of work to do. It’s been 16 years since there’s been a transition in government, there’s been 16 years of challenges that have been created for many, many people. These challenges won’t be fixed overnight,” he added.
Those challenges have included the Site C dam project, the Legislature spending scandal, and the so-called “dumpster fire” at ICBC, among others.
Clark and then Green party leader Andrew Weaver have since stepped down from their roles.
JUST IN: Christy Clark resigns as BC Liberal Party leader https://t.co/HEfRf0rvp7 pic.twitter.com/VzYIf4biAM
— CityNews Vancouver (@CityNewsVAN) July 28, 2017
B.C. is set to head to the ballot box again in October 2021.
