The BC Liberals have announced they’ll recall the legislature on June 22, with the house’s first order of business to be the election of a new speaker.
The statement was issued by Liberal MLA and Government House Leader Mike de Jong on behalf of Premier Christy Clark.
After the house gets back in session and elects a new speaker, “the government will seek to determine if it continues to enjoy the confidence of the house,” de Jong said in a statement.
The announcement comes nearly a month after B.C. elected a minority government in one of the tightest races the province has ever seen, with the Liberals winning 43 seats, one shy of a majority, the NDP taking 41 and the Greens securing three seats in the legislature.
Clark would have gone on to form a minority government, but a historic power-sharing agreement between the NDP and Greens means her days as premier appear numbered.
The election of a new speaker could throw a wrench in NDP Leader John Horgan and Green Leader Andrew Weaver’s plans to form government.
If a Liberal offers to take the role, which experts say is unlikely, it would give the NDP-Green alliance a 44-42 advantage in the house.
If an NDP or Green MLA is appointed, the house would be left in a 43-43 tie heading into a confidence vote and the speaker would be expected to cast a tie-breaking vote to support Clark’s existing government, some political scientists say.
There’s also the possibility Clark could ask Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon to call another election due to the political deadlock, and then Guichon could either dissolve the legislature or give Horgan the opportunity to form government.
