BC Greens agree to work with NDP in BC Legislature
By Nelson Daily Staff
Michelle Mungall said on Facebook the Nelson-Creston MLA is “very excited to be part of history with an NDP-Green agreement for a BC Government.”
Mungall fired off the post after BC NDP leader John Horgan and Andrew Weaver of the Green Party reached an historic agreement making a New Democrat government one step closer.
The agreement gives the NDP the support of 44 MLAs — 41 elected members from the May 9 Provincial Election plus the three Green MLAs.
This gives the Horgan the minimum number required to have a majority of support in the 87-seat legislature.
Currently, the Liberals have 43 seats.
The NDP and Greens hope Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon will see this agreement as strong enough to give the NDP the opportunity to form government without an election.
“We can have a stable minority government for four years with the support of B.C. Green MLAs on confidence and supply matters,” said Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Greens in a media release published on the BC NDP website.
“After taking the time to engage in good faith discussions with both parties, our caucus has concluded that it is in the best interests of British Columbians for new ideas and new approaches to be brought to the B.C. Legislature.”
Weaver and Horgan announced joined hands to tell the people of BC their decision during Monday at the BC Legislature, saying they had reached a four-year agreement.
This four-year Confidence and Supply Agreement that provides a path to forming a new government. The agreement will be ratified by both the Green and New Democrat caucuses tomorrow before being released in full.
“People voted overwhelmingly for change, and we are ready to give them that,” said New Democrat leader John Horgan.
“A New Democrat government will deliver what people voted for on May 9: making life more affordable, fixing the services people count on, and building a sustainable economy that works for everyone.”
Horgan said the new government can put forward good ideas that help people, and come together to support them.
“That’s the opportunity voters presented us with when they made their decision,” he said.
“We couldn’t be more excited to work together to get closer to making the changes we both committed to in our campaigns – and get good things done for the people of B.C.”
Premier Christy Clark made an announcement on the BC Government website regarding the Green-NDP decision.
“In recent days, we have made every effort to reach a governing agreement, while standing firm on our core beliefs. It’s vitally important that British Columbians see the specific details of the agreement announced today by the BC NDP and Green Party leaders, which could have far-reaching consequences for our province’s future.
“As the incumbent government, and the party with the most seats in the legislature, we have a responsibility to carefully consider our next steps. I will consult on those steps with the newly elected BC Liberal caucus, and have more to say (Tuesday).”
