B.C. Liberals lose confidence vote after 16 years

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s minority Liberal government has lost a no-confidence vote in the legislature, setting the stage for the NDP to govern or for an election.

No members of the legislature broke ranks as the Greens backed the New Democrat’s no-confidence motion to defeat Premier Christy Clark’s government. The Liberals lost the vote 44-42. What happens now will be up to Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon, who has to decide whether to allow NDP Leader John Horgan to try to form government or dissolve the legislature, prompting an election.

Clark, whose Liberals have held power for 16 years, made an impassioned plea to members of the legislature before the vote.

In a bid to remain in power, the Liberals adopted NDP and Green promises from last month’s election in their throne speech including higher social assistance rates, banning corporate, union and third-party donations to political parties, spending more on child care and increasing the carbon tax.

The NDP and Greens had an agreement to defeat the Liberals in a bid to put the New Democrats in power.

Before the vote, in the legislature’s hallways, the mood was more philosophical among some members of the government, which has held office for 16 years.

Mary Polak and Shirley Bond said they were prepared for whatever happens, a minority NDP government or a snap election.

“We have a front-row seat to history,” said Polak, a four-term legislature member who serves as health minister.

“Those of us who run for election, we know what we’re signing on for and that is to follow the will of the people. We have a system of government that provides for this to be the way in which a situation is resolved, and so I think we’re all prepared for any eventuality.”

Bond, the minister of tourism and skills training who has served five terms in the house, said she was prepared to accept the result.

“This is literally democracy in action,” said Bond. “Today, as difficult as it might be, is part of the process. We accept that and we’re going to keep working hard.”

A debate over who will serve as Speaker has raised questions about how long an NDP government might survive as the Liberals have not committed to allowing one of their members to serve in the position.

If an NDP or Green member serves in the post, the house is deadlocked with votes likely to end in 43-43 outcomes, leaving the Speaker to decide whether to break the tie.