With just four days to go until the provincial election, some polls suggest the race is too close to call – raising the question of whether B.C. could see its first minority government in six decades.
Recent polls indicate the BC Liberals and BC NDP are in a neck-and-neck race, and with the BC Greens surging, some pundits say the results of the hard-fought election may be nearly unprecedented.
“For B.C. voters, this is a brave new strange world,” said University of Victoria political scientist Michael Prince. “Older voters might still be around who can remember the ‘52-53 Legislature, but for others, usually governments in B.C. mean majority governments.”
There’s hasn’t been a minority government in B.C. since a narrow victory by WAC Bennett’s Social Credit Party 65 years ago, before he went on to govern for two decades.
A minority government means a scenario in which one party wins more seats than any other party, but not as many seats as all the other parties combined.
With 87 total seats up for grabs across B.C. there are many scenarios that could play out on Tuesday, but a few are highly interesting to Prince.
“Some of the polls are suggesting we’re looking at a statistical tie between the Liberals and NDP in terms of decided voters,” said Prince.
With any form of minority, Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver would hold the balance of power, and any bill the governing party is trying to pass would need the approval of the Greens.
It’s a scenario Weaver is relishing.
“It would be outstanding for the island, because finally, we’d be able to ensure that a government listens to the concerns of people on the island,” said Weaver.
He said he’d be willing to work with either party to help form a minority government if that’s how next Tuesday unfolds.
When asked about their position on a minority government, the BC Liberals issued a statement.
"Today's BC Liberal candidates are focused earning the trust of voters by communicating our plan for economic growth, job creation and low taxes for the middle class in contrast to the NDP's irresponsible scheme to hike taxes and run a $6.5 billion deficit,” it said.
NDP leader John Horgan was asked the same question and said the province can’t afford four more years of the BC Liberals.
“My focus over the next number of days is to bring people together so that we can form a government that works for people,” he added.