An historic series of steps could lead to three local BC NDP MLAs taking seats on the government side of the house after Premier Christy Clark announced yesterday that she plans to hold a confidence motion in the B.C. legislature in June.
On Tuesday afternoon, while the BC NDP held a caucus meeting going about an agreement with the BC Greens that could enable the New Democrats to form government, Clark was laying out her own view of what will happen over the next several weeks.
Clark said she won't ask Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon to call an election but will instead let a government confidence motion fail, which she said "seems likely," and it would be up to the lieutenant-governor to decide on next steps.
"If there is going to be a transfer of power, and it certainly seems like there will be, it shouldn't be behind closed doors," Clark said.
Clark also told the press conference she would be willing to take on the role of leader of the opposition if the confidence motion fails, giving no hints that she was prepared to resign.
Meanwhile, there was jubilation in Victoria as the BC NDP caucus envisioned an opportunity to govern after 16 years in opposition.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to get stuff done that I've wanted done that I've heard people ask for and was not able to deliver," said Coquitlam-Maillardville NDP MLA Selina Robinson, who won re-election by defeating BC Liberal challenger Steve Kim.
"I'm thinking that British Columbians have spoken volumes that they want a government that works for them," Robinson told The Tri-City News during a break from Tuesday's caucus meeting.
She said the BC Greens were the best party with which to reach an agreement because it has similar objectives to those of the NDP, and she speculated that the legislature would be more co-operative in future.
Port Moody NDP MLA Rick Glumac, who defeated incumbent BC Liberal Linda Reimer on May 9, called the past few days "an amazing time in B.C." and said he was excited for the potential to represent his constituents in government if the next few weeks go as predicted, with the BC Liberal government being toppled in a confidence motion.
Long-serving NDP MLA Mike Farnworth is considered a pick for cabinet in an NDP administration if the party forms government.
Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Joan Isaacs, meanwhile, narrowly defeated incumbent and BC NDP candidate Jodie Wickens. A spokesperson referred the media to Premier Clark's statement for local comment.