MLAs weigh in on GreenNDP team
Dan Ashton sees opportunity to ‘put down the political rhetoric;’ Linda Larson says ‘you kind of get a knot in your stomach’
The region’s two Liberal MLA-elects presented contrasting visions Thursday of how the provincial government will function with a new Green-NDP coalition at the helm. Dan Ashton questioned the wisdom of the Greens committing unwavering support to the New Democrats, but nonetheless struck an optimistic tone and told the board of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen he’s hopeful a new era of co-operation is about to begin.
“I really think the opportunity is there to show that governments can put down the political rhetoric and get on with governing how they should for all the citizens of British Columbia,” said the twoterm representative for Penticton.
Linda Larson, who was recently re-elected in Boundary Similkameen, presented a more pessimistic view and questioned some of the priorities set out in the power-sharing agreement signed by the Greens and NDP.
“It’s one of those things where you take a look at what’s already on the table, you kind of get a knot in your stomach when you see the types of things they’re going to put forward right at the beginning,” she said.
And with just a one-seat edge over the Liberals, Larson continued, the coalition will have no margin for error.
“It’s going to be really interesting, because in order for anything to happen in the house, every single one of those members have to be in their seats every day from the time the house opens until the time it closes,” she said.
“That’s not getting sick, that’s not going to funerals or weddings and so on, or going to special events. They have to be in their seats, because if they’re not, if there’s even one missing, it’s over.”
Larson was also asked about the process of selecting a Speaker of the House, who’s usually appointed by the party in power and votes only rarely.
If the house can’t elect a speaker, she explained, the lieutenant-governor “has the option of throwing the government out or perhaps coming up with an alternate solution, but I honestly do not know.”
Ashton, a former RDOS chairman, was asked if he had any interest in following in the footsteps or former Penticton MLA Bill Barisoff, who served as speaker from 2005-13.
“You’ve certainly proven yourself around this table as being capable of handling big meetings,” said Area D (Okanagan Falls/Kaleden) alternate director Tom Styffe. “Have you been approached and would you say yes?” “The answer,” Ashton replied, “is no and no.” Liberal Premier Christy Clark has indicated she will call back the house in June and try to form government, but with just 43 seats to the coalition’s 44, she is expected to be defeated and her party relegated to the opposition benches.
The coalition’s priorities include killing the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion, sending the Site C dam for review, increasing minimum wage to $15 an hour, eliminating MSP premiums and banning union and corporate political donations.