Maybe by the time you read this column, B.C. will have a new government. But maybe not. Last Saturday’s election results were unknown as of this writing. Preliminary vote counts had the NDP with 46 seats, the Conservatives with 45 seats and the Green Party with two.
Two ridings were so close, they were automatically subject to recount, while uncounted absentee ballots could flip the results in other ridings. Whether any party will reach the required 47 seats for a razor-thin majority remains to be seen.
B.C. had a similar election result in 2017, though the right-wing side was represented at that time by the Liberals rather than the Conservatives. In the end, the Greens and the NDP joined forces with a confidence and supply agreement that lasted until then-Premier John Horgan called an election during the pandemic.
In 2017, it took two months to determine the election outcome. Who knows how long it will take this time, especially since the Green party leader Sonia Furstenau was not re-elected. She was facing off against Grace Lore, who had served as children’s minister in the previous government, in a riding that NDP then-opposition leader Carole James held for many years. It’s unfortunate two strong women candidates were facing each other in the same riding, and that one of them would have to lose.
Furstenau, at least for now, is continuing as leader of the Green party. In a news conference this week, she acknowledged that she is the only Green party representative who was part of the negotiations in 2017, who will be part of them again. She said she would be motivated by what she thinks is best for the people of B.C., but also said she hadn’t taken the Conservative leader’s call.
She said MLA candidates need to be responsible to everyone in their respective ridings, and the “disturbing statements” made by some Conservative candidates were a concern.
Whatever happens, there will be dozens of new MLAs in the Legislature, including the two elected Greens.
“Right now in B.C., no party deserves all the power,” Furstenau said. As far as what she might ask for in a power-sharing deal, she said, “Our starting point is our platform.”
The Green platform calls for a new primary health care model, enhanced mental health care, such as visits to psychologists paid for under basic medicare, regulated, pharmaceutical alternatives to the illicit drug market, rent control between tenancies and many other proposals. It notably did not include ending the carbon tax or increasing involuntary treatment.
Eby, also speaking at a news conference this week, said the Greens had asked for time before beginning negotiations.
“British Columbians voted in the majority for a progressive vision for our province,” Eby said. “We have a lot of shared values in common with the Green party.”
Several cabinet ministers and incumbents lost their seats, which will mean added instability for government.
Eby said nothing is off the table, as far as agreements go, and that when the Greens are ready to talk, his party will be ready to go.
“I think British Columbians want us to get to work right away,” he said, listing affordability, healthcare and public safety as the three key areas he hopes to work on. Although it is part of affordability, I would add housing as its own topic. Some of these issues are national or global in scope, but nonetheless, B.C. is struggling.
“British Columbians sent us a strong message that we need to do better,” he said.
That “strong” message was sent by just 57.43 per cent of British Columbians – those who bothered to vote. It’s a sad statistic, made even more pathetic when you consider the slim margins separating some riding results. For instance, in Surrey City Centre, just 95 votes separate the Conservatives and the NDP, on the first count.
The Conservatives are waiting for the final tally.
“People were hungry for common sense change in B.C.,” B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad said on election night. “We have not given up this fight yet.”
Eby had fighting words too.
“Let’s keep fighting for people. That’s all we’re going to do,” Eby said.
While the final count is still unknown, what is known is that something has to give in B.C. My feeling is the only way things will improve is if we all work together.
Tracy Sherlock is a freelance journalist who writes about education and social issues. Read her blog or email her [email protected].
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