Liberals refuse to step aside for NDP
Horgan says New Democrats want to get to work, but premier sticking to rules in face of uncertainty
VICTORIA — The New Democrats were singing, and the Liberals were solemn.
The contrasts in mood between British Columbia’s main political parties was unmistakable Thursday when their members were sworn in to a divided legislature.
The differences didn’t end there as Premier Christy Clark promised to stick to parliamentary rules until her minority government’s likely defeat in a confidence vote, while NDP Leader John Horgan said the delays must end because the province needs a working government.
“I’m anxious, as all British Columbians are, to have a government that’s going to be here for the long term,” Horgan said after the NDP’s swearing-in ceremony.
He said the province needs action on the opioid crisis that has killed hundreds of people, leadership on softwood as new U.S. tariffs represent “a looming crisis,” and preparation for the next school year under new rules from the Supreme Court of Canada on class sizes.
The election on May 9 did not produce a clear winner. Clark’s Liberals won 43 seats, the NDP won 41 and the Greens took three, meaning no party won a majority in the 87-seat legislature. B.C. hasn’t had a minority government in 65 years. The NDP and the Greens signed an agreement to work together in the legislature that would allow the NDP to form a government after bringing down the Liberals.
Amero and Black returned around midnight.
Riach and Hadden-Watts returned around 1 a.m., followed by Bacon, who carried several grocery bags.
Around 2:15 a.m., a silver SUV of interest to police was seen outside
the hotel along with a gang associate whose name is under a publication ban.
At 4:15 a.m., two men were seen walking toward the hotel.
Masson did not identify who those men were believed to be.
Minutes later, the same men were seen exiting the hotel.
Cpl. Cora Malewski said 47 bullets and shell casings were seized at the scene, along with 21 bullet fragments, which were found inside the Porsche, including inside luggage in the back of the vehicle and the muffler.
On Nov. 4, Malewski investigated three firearms that were found in the bushes on Highland Drive. No fingerprints or DNA were found on the Glock 9-mm handgun and two Norinco rifles, she said.
The trial continues.