British Columbia Liberals hang on to win minority government

The BC NDP under John Horgan took 41 seats and the Greens led by Andrew Weaver picked up three seats – more than ever before.

UBC economist Kevin Milligan says there’s no way to know for sure what will happen when Elections BC opens absentee ballots on May 22nd, but he says a look at the 2013 election could provide some insight.

So far the BC Liberals have stacked up about 40.9. per cent of the popular vote, to 39.9 per cent for the NDP and 16.6 per cent for the Greens.

In a news conference, Clark confirmed that British Columbia Lt. -Gov. “But that would also mean to do that he has to back the loser”.

Although three seats is minimal, Andrew Weaver will no doubt have a voice in the provincial capital. “He may have the effect of delegitimating his own party and the NDP by putting them in power”. Tonight we won the popular vote.

Preliminary results in Courtenay-Comox put the NDP’s Ronna-Rae Leonard ahead of the Liberals’ Jim Benninger by just nine votes.

Whether the Liberals will attempt to govern on an ad-hoc basis with case by case support of the other two parties, or seek a more formalized agreement with the BC Greens remains to be seen.

Hitting back at USA plans to implement duties on Canadian softwood lumber, a key export for British Columbia, Clark said the Liberals would add a carbon levy on thermal coal exports from the province that would make them uneconomic.

Weaver wasn’t ready to tip his hand on whether he would support the Liberals or NDP in a minority government.

The NDP campaign stepped up its attack on the Greens in the final days, warning voters that the NDP is the only party that could end the B.C. Liberal dynasty.

But don’t expect negotiations on the possible framework of a minority government to start until after the dust settles, said Richard Johnston, a political scientist at the University of British Columbia.

“British Columbians sent a very strong message to all sides of the legislature”. The analysis does not take into account the riding boundary changes in Courteany-Comox, which shaved off an area traditionally friendly to the NDP, nor do they account for the Liberal Candidate Jim Benniger – the former base commander at CFB Comox.

In September past year, the Greens banned corporate and union donations. “That would be a long-term win for them so that’s one they may be willing to risk in supporting the NDP”, said Harrison.

But he said the Greens, who do not accept political donations from corporations or unions, are committed to removing them entirely from B.C. politics.

The results only create more uncertainty for the Trans Mountain pipeline, shale gas development, and even the Site C hydroelectric project, said Martin Pelletier, managing director at TriVest Wealth Council.

“LNG project approvals would be easier for the province to unilaterally reverse”, compared to federally approved pipelines, Hoberg said.

“Sixty per cent of those who cast ballots yesterday voted for change”, Horgan told reporters in Vancouver.

However, if the results are confirmed, Harrison said the Liberals and New Democrats may be forced to compromise with the Greens or face another election.

“Particularly because they didn’t have a chance of governing”, said Richard Johnston, also a political science professor at UBC.

Carbon tax: The Greens’ plan would increase the carbon tax over the next four years from $30 a tonne to $70 a tonne.