The BC New Democratic Party’s government and the BC Green Party have announced a collaboration agreement over the next four years to support one another’s ideas and initiatives.
This supply and confidence deal will effectively mean that the Greens agree to support the NDP in legislative votes in exchange for the BC NDP advancing the Green’s initiatives.
The BC Greens say they have ideas they will be advancing to the legislature through this deal regarding healthcare, housing, renter support, homelessness, transit, climate, forestry as well as tax and legislative reform.
The BC NDP won a majority government with 47 seats, while the BC Greens secured two and the Conservative Party of BC won 44.
With the now combined voting power, the BC NDP and Greens will have voting power of 49 to 44, and will have an easier time passing legislation over the next four-year term.
“I am deeply encouraged by this agreement to work together on the critical issues that matter most to British Columbians,” said Sonia Furstenau, leader of the BC Green Party and former MLA for Cowichan Valley.
“It represents many weeks of hard work to ensure that our government takes meaningful steps to tackle the affordability crisis, improve access to healthcare, and address the urgent climate challenges our province faces.”
Furstenau added that while no agreement is perfect, this one represents a step forward, providing a clear framework for action on the priorities of everyday British Columbians.
The agreement is to be reviewed annually, with progress being assessed quarterly.
Additionally, the BC Greens have pointed out that this agreement is different from the federal supply and confidence deal between the Liberals and NDP that was recently terminated by Jagmeet Singh.
The BC deal includes strong “agree to disagree” provisions in addition to being reviewed annually.
Neither Premier Eby, the BC NDP, nor the BC Conservatives have made a statement on the deal as of this publication.
