New BC Political Discussion - POST BC Election 2017

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Tetsuo

I used to hate David Eby back during the olympics but he's now one of my favorite parts of this BC GreeNDP government.

Ron.

Same. It's important to be able to evolve your beliefs based on change.

[Sheba]

Legislature recalled for Sept. 8

A new three-month legislative session will begin Sept. 8.

MLAs will return to Victoria on a Friday with a speech from the throne, with a new budget expected the following week.

MLAs will sit for 37 days until Nov. 30, with week-long breaks for Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day.

It will be the first legislative session that will test the governing deal between the BC NDP and Greens, a critical piece of the two parties' alliance and the NDP's minority government.

The two parties hold a combined 44 seats in the house, while the Liberals hold 42 following the resignation of former premier and party leader Christy Clark, who was defeated in a confidence vote in June.

Officials with the office of the premier were not immediately available for comment.

The NDP have already announced a number of initiatives in the lead up to the fall session, including a ban on the grizzly bear trophy hunt, raising the minimum wage 50 cents to $11.35 an hour, joining legal challenges against the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, and scrapping fees for adult education and English language training.

Meanwhile, a BC Utilities Commission report on the financial implications of the Site C dam is expected Nov. 1.

The previous BC Liberal government cancelled plans for a 20-day fall legislative session in 2016. The legislature was in session for 26 days in fall 2015.

BC Liberal Peace River North MLA Dan Davies noted the longer than usual legislative session. "I'm not sure why they want to go this long, unless they have a colossal amount of legislation they want to pass," Davies said.

The session will also take place during the middle of his party's leadership race to replace Clark, he added.

[WarrenC12]

New speaker is BC Liberal (!) MLA Darryl Plecas. Maybe this government will last longer than expected...

Apparently the BC Libs are furious, not even clapping as he takes the chair. Clearly they are in complete disarray internally. A bit weird since they lost control by the narrowest of margins, then the leader quits politics completely and now this. It's behaviour I'd expect from a party that got completely blown out.

[waves]

Wow I am literally shocked. I had no expectation that a liberal would defect.

[nova9]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

New speaker is BC Liberal (!) MLA Darryl Plecas. Maybe this government will last longer than expected...

Apparently the BC Libs are furious, not even clapping as he takes the chair. Clearly they are in complete disarray internally. A bit weird since they lost control by the narrowest of margins, then the leader quits politics completely and now this. It's behaviour I'd expect from a party that got completely blown out.

Where are you seeing this? I want to find a live feed online but the BC Leg feed starts at 1:15pm.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

New speaker is BC Liberal (!) MLA Darryl Plecas. Maybe this government will last longer than expected...

Apparently the BC Libs are furious, not even clapping as he takes the chair. Clearly they are in complete disarray internally. A bit weird since they lost control by the narrowest of margins, then the leader quits politics completely and now this. It's behaviour I'd expect from a party that got completely blown out.

Good for him! Shame Stingray isn't here to enjoy it.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by nova9

Where are you seeing this? I want to find a live feed online but the BC Leg feed starts at 1:15pm.

I couldn't find any video. It's all over the news

B.C. Liberal MLA Darryl Plecas turned on his own party Friday to become the legislature’s new Speaker, an act the interim Liberal leader called a betrayal.

Plecas was the only candidate to put forward his name in the house Friday morning, which would mean his move was orchestrated and planned with the New Democrat government, who did not put up one of their own MLAs for the job.

Plecas, who represents Abbotsford South, arrived to the chamber early, where he sat by himself before any MLAs from either side took their seats.

Interim leader Rich Coleman had said Thursday he was confident no Liberals would stand for the job and that to do so would give the NDP minority government breathing room on close votes. He specifically said he’d received assurances from Plecas that he wouldn’t take the position.

Coleman told reporters Friday he was lied to by Plecas and it was “a betrayal” of his own party.

“Basically when you tell your colleagues you are not going to do something, they take you at your word, you break your word, you go do it, become the speaker, you de facto already went and joined the NDP,” said Coleman.

...

NDP Premier John Horgan said Plecas has “his full support” in the new job.

“This is not about partisanship this is about a new government and a new opportunity,” he told the legislature.

Coleman told the legislature the job is about ensuring fairness and “we hope you live up to those standards.”

The Liberal MLAs refused to clap in the legislature as Plecas assumed the job Friday morning. Green leader Andrew Weaver said Coleman’s refusal to congratulate Plecas, the refusal of MLAs to clap, was “classless.” He said Plecas had integrity and is widely-respected among MLAs, and that the legislature will still be able to function.

The move will mean the NDP government can pass legislation without relying on the Speaker to break tie votes, which it would have had to do had the Speaker been selected from within its own ranks.

The election of a new Speaker preceded the new NDP government’s throne speech, set for 2 p.m. Friday.

[logicbomb]

Would not be surprised if more jump ship. The BC Liberal party is in disarray and the candidates to succeed Christy Clark seem all inept.

What's the difference between the BC NDP and Liberals? The latter is more fiscally conservative but I have heard rumors that the business community is warming the NDP; even donating to their party. The NDP has already cancelled any improvements to labour standards, and even scrapped the $15 min wage increase. They have been inactive in addressing the housing crisis; and all indications show that they will continue to be. This is not the same NDP party from the 90's. This party will be ultra cautious and ensure they remain in power.

[Sheba]

BC Throne Speech 2017 - CBC News

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Good for him! Shame Stingray isn't here to enjoy it.

I’m sure there’s a multi-paragraph partisan screed awaiting us on how this ultimately benefits the BC Libs. Most of us will ignore it.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Sheba

BC Throne Speech 2017 - CBC News

Disappointingly vague for a party that's been waiting to form government for 16 years. I expected a more robust and forthright plan. Hopefully the budget document has that.

[Tetsuo]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

Would not be surprised if more jump ship. The BC Liberal party is in disarray and the candidates to succeed Christy Clark seem all inept.

What's the difference between the BC NDP and Liberals? The latter is more fiscally conservative but I have heard rumors that the business community is warming the NDP; even donating to their party. The NDP has already cancelled any improvements to labour standards, and even scrapped the $15 min wage increase. They have been inactive in addressing the housing crisis; and all indications show that they will continue to be. This is not the same NDP party from the 90's. This party will be ultra cautious and ensure they remain in power.

The Greens will ensure that the NDP will remain honest

Plecas is smart, gonna collect that extra salary, and ensure that he gets an MLA Pension.

Ron.

[logicbomb]

That NDP throne speech was lousy if you voted for them

Key takeaways:
-Barely a peep about the real estate and the housing crisis
-No mention of the "$10" a day childcare; now referred as universal child care
-No improvement to employment standards

They stressed affordability but refused to acknowledge the housing crisis which was the same issue that caused the Liberals demise

[Waders]

I wonder whether the BC Liberals will expel a betraitor from the party.
If what Rich Coleman said is true, that there is a big question mark about that person's honesty and integrity.
I just don't think that act is a smart move as this really destroy one's public standing.
The proper way that should have been done was to resign from the Liberal Party first.

[Tetsuo]

Originally Posted by Waders

I wonder whether the BC Liberals will expel a betraitor from the party.
If what Rich Coleman said is true, that there is a big question mark about that person's honesty and integrity.
I just don't think that act is a smart move as this really destroy one's public standing.
The proper way that should have been done was to resign from the Liberal Party first.

The dude is 65 years old, he already called out Christy Clark demanding she step down, he would have no future in the BCL, and thus politics, they could easily replace him prior to the next election, and with more instability could have resulted in an election prior to 2019 (he just needs to be an MLA for that much longer, and the pension is his)
By taking the speaker role he's bringing stability, province over party?
Plus the extra $50grand probably doesn't hurt.

Ron

[Pinion]

I tried to watch the throne speech and fell asleep within minutes.

A referendum on proportional representation is bullshit. It'll get voted down again. Just implement it, you idiots, that's why we voted for you. Horgan and Trudeau.

Wish they had a firm date for the end of MSP premiums too.

[Common Sense]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

That NDP throne speech was lousy if you voted for them

Key takeaways:
-Barely a peep about the real estate and the housing crisis
-No mention of the "$10" a day childcare; now referred as universal child care
-No improvement to employment standards

They stressed affordability but refused to acknowledge the housing crisis which was the same issue that caused the Liberals demise

When it comes to the housing crisis there is very little the NDP can do. Or any party for that matter. It is a matter of supply and demand. With 30,000 to 40,000 people moving to Metro Vancouver every year they have to live somewhere.

And this is true across Canada where the economy is booming like Metro Toronto. Ontario is ruled by the left wing Liberal Party and the exact thing is happening there. It is not a matter of left or right but market forces at work.

[Pinion]

Oh geez I can't believe people still believe that. It's global supply and demand, as in China has near infinite demand and we are supplying it at the expense of everyone who didn't buy property decades ago in Vancouver.

Our housing situation is much worse than Toronto's, and it's the only other Canadian city in a bubble.

Ending foreign ownership with no loopholes would kill demand instantly.

But you're right, no party will change it because the "booming economy" will crash hard and we'll see that it was all smoke and mirrors.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Common Sense

When it comes to the housing crisis there is very little the NDP can do. Or any party for that matter. It is a matter of supply and demand. With 30,000 to 40,000 people moving to Metro Vancouver every year they have to live somewhere.

And this is true across Canada where the economy is booming like Metro Toronto. Ontario is ruled by the left wing Liberal Party and the exact thing is happening there. It is not a matter of left or right but market forces at work.

Slapping the foreign buyers tax on presales would reveal how much demand there really is(n't). They should have committed to that and to banning foreign buyers from purchasing ALR lands. Those should have been givens for the throne speech.

[Waders]

As expected, BC Liberals expel Darryl Plecas from party after Speaker move.