http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/clark-horgan-guichon-judgement-day-1.4181805?__vfz=profile_comment%3D9776600009017

Judgment Day: B.C. Liberal tactics set up difficult decision for lieutenant-governor

Judith Guichon has a choice to make — anoint a new premier or send voters back to the polls

By Justin McElroy & Richard Zussman, CBC News Posted: Jun 29, 2017 2:00 AM PT

1794 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.

Kevin Delaney

But, But, But... the BC voters did not fully understand just how much I want to stay in power.

Yes, indeed power is addictive & it is a thing once addicted folks cling too. ReHab required.

David Raymond Amos

@Kevin Delaney But But But she just might pull this off yet. Trust that I am no fan of hers but the lady ain't dumb. If the Crown calls another election she could get her majority. If not then she has lots of time too con some folks into crossing the floor and then she can topple the NDP and their Green buddies anyway. Need I say I love the circus?

David Raymond Amos

@David Raymond Amos Methinks the lady will now pursue my predicted option # 2. What say you?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/horgan-government-guichon-2017-1.4185204

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mike-harcourt-on-next-steps-for-horgan-1.4187214

Former B.C. premier Mike Harcourt on the challenges and next steps for John Horgan

Harcourt faced a similar situation as Horgan when he was elected in 1991

By Clare Hennig, CBC News Posted: Jul 01, 2017 6:00 AM PT

Mike Harcourt served as the premier of British Columbia from 1991 to 1996. (CBC)

Sixteen years of B.C. Liberal rule have come to an end and premier-designate John Horgan now has the task of implementing his party's policies with a minority government, in a province used to having a Liberal premier.

But he's not the only one in B.C. politics to have faced such a situation. Back in 1991, Mike Harcourt's NDP government was elected after 16 years of Social Credit Party rule.

Harcourt spoke with CBC's On The Coast guest host Gloria Macarenko about the challenges Horgan will face and what his next moves should be, as someone who has been in a similar position in the past.

The throne speech and alliance with the Green Party are signs of a government that can learn to agree and work together, he said.

B.C. Liberal throne speech lays out ambitious vision borrowing from NDP and Green platforms

"[Horgan] is hopefully going to face tri-party agreement on all those major issues which are part of the New Democrat government platform," Harcourt said.

He knows there won't be unanimous votes on all issues, he said, but hopes that the sailing can still be smoother than expected.

"There is basic agreement on a huge number of things between the Greens and the New Democrats and, now, the Liberals under Christy Clark and their throne speech," he said. "I think there will be a lot of [tri-party agreement] but there will be some sharp elbows going up too and some curve balls."
In particular, Harcourt is hopeful about the alliance between the NDP and the Green Party which he described as "sturdy."

To listen to the full interview with Harcourt, click on the audio link below:

Site C, Crown corporations and appointments

Horgan worked for Harcourt as a staffer when he was premier and Harcourt said he considers him a friend.

"I have great respect for him," Harcourt said. "He's a very experienced hand. He understands the urban areas and he has a real feel and passion for the natural resource communities."

This means, Harcourt said, that he wants to see Horgan pull out of the Site C dam.

"I hope he mothballs it, because it's going to become a $15- to-$17 billion dollar financial white elephant nightmare," he said. "Site C has so many problems."

A lot of the province's Crown corporations, such as B.C. Hydro and ICBC have boards appointed by the B.C. Liberals, but Harcourt said that should not be a factor when it comes to dealing with the new government in power.

The bigger challenge is reworking them to be more efficient.

"Putting them on a solid financial footing is the first thing," he said. "Secondly, a change in direction for B.C. Hydro is necessary, and I think ICBC being drained of its reserves is very imprudent and B.C. Ferries has got some work to do."

The next few months will be a transitory period as the new government is briefed and finds its footing, Harcourt said. One of the decisions he most anticipates is who will be appointed to the various ministerial positions.

With files from On The Coast.

Judgment Day: B.C. Liberal tactics set up difficult decision for lieutenant-governor

Judith Guichon has a choice to make — anoint a new premier or send voters back to the polls

By Justin McElroy & Richard Zussman, CBC News Posted: Jun 29, 2017 2:00 AM PT

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark greets Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon prior to the delivery of the 2015 speech from the throne inside the legislature in Victoria, B.C. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

It will likely be the most crucial political decision Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon ever has to make.

If the B.C. Liberals lose the confidence of the house today, she will decide to either dissolve parliament and thrust the province into an election or ask NDP leader John Horgan to govern.

And it's a decision Premier Christy Clark has made as difficult as possible.

Five weeks ago, when the B.C. Greens and NDP reached an agreement, Clark indicated that it was inevitable she would lose power because her party had fewer MLAs than the alliance.

But in the past week, Clark has done everything possible to set up the premise that her opponents would provide unstable governance.

First, it was introducing a speech from the throne full of ideas the Greens and NDP have supported for years.

Then, it was introducing legislation that she knew her opponents support in principle — but was predictably voted down.

Next, it was raising concern and creating written documentation that a Speaker in a legislature deadlocked at 43 votes each would be breaking generations of parliamentary precedent in B.C.

Finally, it was going against most constitutional experts and announcing she would not provide any advice to the lieutenant-governor if she lost the confidence of the house — but would bring certain facts up, if asked.

"It's not my intention to advise her whether she should call an election. That's her decision," said Clark.

"But here's what I do know: in these conversations between a premier and an LG at moments like this, she will probably will ask me some questions. I've gotta be honest: you've seen what I've seen this week. It isn't working.

"The constitutional experts like to speculate on what has happened, but it is the premier's option to let her make her own decision about this, and that is what I intend to do."

There's been some speculation that voters — weary after a bitter, divisive election — would punish any politician thought to have forced the province into another round of voting so soon after the last campaign.

Clark's choice without precedent

"I am a little bewildered to be honest. I just don't understand precisely what she is saying," said Carleton University constitutional expert Philippe Lagasse.

Lagasse and many others say premiers have only two options when losing a non-confidence vote: to ask for a dissolution, which would trigger an election, or to advise there are parties in the legislature that could provide stable governance.

Offering no advice and solely answering questions is not something Lagasse has ever heard of.
Until now.

"I don't understand what the premier thinks her third option is. To simply say I leave it up to you. I leave it up to you to what? To go into an election without advice? No, that's unconstitutional," Lagasse added.

How today plays out

The non-confidence vote could happen anytime the Liberals stop sending members to speak on the speech from the throne, but will likely happen around 5:30 p.m. PT.

If Clark is defeated, there will be about 30 minutes between the vote and when she heads 2.4 kilometres east to Government House and meets with Guichon.

How and when Guichon will communicate her decision to the public is unknown, because her representatives have offered little response to media requests.

NDP Leader John Horgan presents his non confidence motion in the B.C. Legislature on June 28, 2017. (Hansard)

While this unfolds, NDP Leader John Horgan is left twisting in the wind. He believes that he could provide stable government with the support of the Greens. But aside from the letter he has already sent the lieutenant-governor, he has had no other communication, nor is he allowed to.

"I can't predict what other people will do. I have done my responsibility," said Horgan. "We will win the vote, and then it's in the hands of the lieutenant-governor. I'm hopeful she'll do the right thing … there is a majority on one side of the house. We should be given an opportunity to govern."

Whatever happens will be the first of its kind in British Columbia.

It's either the shortest duration between elections ever — while creating brand new constitutional conventions — or the first inter-election transfer of power in B.C. since political parties were established.

And it happens today.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/dejong-farnworth-speaker-day-2-1.4180085

B.C. Liberals ask for guidance on role of Speaker in ties

'It’s about trying to trigger an election that they don’t want to take responsibility for,' NDP claim

By Justin McElroy, CBC News Posted: Jun 27, 2017 1:40 PM PT

Newly appointed Speaker Steve Thomson is led by the sergeant-at-arms to start the throne speech debate in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, June 26, 2017. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

With nothing on the agenda for the B.C. Liberals between now and a non-confidence vote Thursday they expect to lose, House Leader Mike de Jong has made a unique request to the Speaker.

"What is the role of the Speaker in various circumstances? What is the role of breaking tie votes? What is their role if there were to be proposed changes to the standing orders?" said de Jong to reporters, explaining the official letter that was submitted to the Speaker Tuesday morning.

"I put a series of questions to the Speaker and asked for guidance on the basis, I think, all members would be interested in knowing the answers to those questions definitively and in an authoritative way."

De Jong said the request was relevant given the "very real possibility" the NDP, with support from the Green Party, would form government following the non-confidence vote. If current Liberal Speaker Steve Thomson resigns, the NDP would likely be forced to have his replacement come from their ranks, resulting in 43 Liberal MLAs and 43 NDP and Green MLAs.

"I think the workability of a reconfigured parliament with an NDP-Green government based on the numbers is going to be challenging, but it's most important today what the role of the Speaker would be in that situation," he said.

But de Jong protested the idea the report by the current Speaker — which he requested be issued before Thursday's vote — would be used to try and persuade Lieutenant-Governor Judith Guichon that a snap election would be preferable to a NDP government.

"My pre-eminent concern is that members have this information from an authoritative source."

NDP House Leader Mike Farnworth addresses reporters on June 27, 2017. (Justin McElroy/CBC)

'Games playing by this government'

De Jong's request was immediately denounced by NDP House Leader Mike Farnworth.

"It seems to me to be another in a series of attempts by this government to deny this obvious, which is: they are going to be defeated in a throne speech on Thursday, and they are desperately trying to find a way to cling to power or have an election which they profess not to want," said Farnworth.

"It's an attempt by this government to hold onto power. It's another games playing by this government."
However, Farnworth was less clear on how an NDP-led legislature would operate in tie votes at the final reading of bills, along with ties at the committee level.

Convention is that Speakers break ties in the interest of continuing debate, but, at final reading, will vote against legislation, unless it is a confidence vote.

"You're just going to have to wait and see how it would work, but it will work," he said.

"We will be using the rules of the house, as they happen right now ... We'll be following precedent."

Tuesday marked the 49th day since British Columbia's election. A non-confidence vote is expected on Thursday.

David Raymond Amos Round 3

Friday 30 June 2017