Dance of change reaches fever pitch at B.C. legislature
In the west end of the B.C. legislature, NDP staff spent Friday filling cardboard boxes with documents, office supplies and personal effects.
Two manoeuvred a large roll of packing paper, in preparation for their move out of the Opposition cubicle farm.
“We’re supposed to have our boxes packed by the end of the day,” said NDP communications officer Marielle Tounsi.
On Tuesday, the provincial government will change hands for the first time in 16 years, when John Horgan is sworn in as premier and his cabinet is revealed.
The logistics of shuffling about 400 people around the legislative buildings is a carefully orchestrated dance, involving not just planning, but also plenty of diplomacy.
Luckily, clerk of the house Craig James and sergeant-atarms Gary Lenz were prepared.
“Even before the election, we went through this place inch by inch for the first time and analyzed exactly where everybody is — caucus space, assembly space — to try to develop some efficiencies for the space,” James said.
He likened it to the delicate art of reassigning parking spots.
“I’ve got to tell you that, as of today, it’s worked. Everybody is generally happy and that’s pretty remarkable.”
In essence, no one has threatened to chain themselves to their desks.
Planning can be done only to a certain extent. The cabinet size won’t be announced until Tuesday, for example, so Lenz asked for a range.
“If they say 20 to 24, I will find 24 ministerial suites in the building and block them off. Then I wait for the number.”
The Greens posed another challenge with growing numbers. James and Lenz had to find a space for the three members together — plus prepare for a potential growth in staff, in case the Greens got official party status.
Beyond the office swap, the legislative assembly grew by two seats this year, after electoral district boundaries were redrawn. That means 87 members have to fit into the legislative chamber, where 85 fit the year before — and where 32 fit in 1898, when it was built.
This posed one of the most expensive projects of this year’s move, at about $18,000 for the two custom-made oak desks in the chamber. They could only be placed at the back, because of the building’s age and wiring, and have been designed with detailing and measurements to match the others precisely.
Those two extra members also need office space.
A portion of the legislative library’s basement has been renovated to make space for six new offices.
“The original plan was for the NDP to spill into there, from their offices down the hall. After the confidence vote, it was thought that would be a better space for the Liberal caucus, who we’ve managed to move around,” James said.
A lucky stroke came in the way the power handover has coincided with a scheduled furniture replacement, which will reduce the amount going back and forth.
New furniture is being purchased in consultation with each caucus. Old furniture goes into storage or, if it is in especially bad shape, will be set aside for the government’s asset disposal service
The real test comes Tuesday. At the end of the 2 p.m. swearing-in ceremony, most members should be able to hit the ground running.
“It’s like a military camp. It’s one thing to get everyone to accept new office space. But it’s quite another thing to get them in there,” James said.
That means phones connected, computers installed, pass cards updated, among other things.
Three to four moving crews will help make it happen.
On top of that, privacy and security are major concerns. Timing of each move and holding spaces for sensitive documents, protected by security, is negotiated in advance, Lenz said.
The fact that public tours are ongoing and an open house is scheduled at 5 p.m. Tuesday is just icing on the cake.
A shredding truck, parked outside, is on hand to help with disposal of extra material. “It’s like a house. You live in a house for 16 years and when you move, it’s amazing how many things you have in your place that you say, ‘I really don’t need this anymore,’ ” he said.
So what’s the secret to keeping everyone happy?
“I think it’s just consultation and conversation and having good people leading on both sides who are willing to listen and work,” said Lenz, who has been in close communication with each party’s transition team.
“Everyone here knows governments transition. These events do take place. And we all need to have a functional government with services and operations to help each other. So it’s been smooth.”