Thursday (May 29) marked the end of a contentious legislative session that began with 56 fresh faces entering the legislature, a resurgent B.C. Conservative Party taking over as the Official Opposition and a tariff threat upending the government香蕉视频直播檚 entire legislative agenda.
The house will be in recess for the summer, scheduled to return on Oct. 6.
This was the first session for the B.C. Conservative Party as Official Opposition since the fall election, when the Tories came from the political wilderness to squash B.C. United and seize control of 44 seats.
It now has 41 seats after three members left to become Independents.
These members left with Vancouver香蕉视频直播擰uilchena MLA Dallas Brodie, who drew the ire of several members of the Conservative caucus for comments casting doubt on the evidence of children香蕉视频直播檚 graves at residential schools.
Even after Brodie left, rumours of dissension in the caucus remain, with some disagreements spilling into the open.
This includes a publicized spat after Chilliwack North MLA Heather Maahs invited a group opposed to abortion and gender transition for youth to the legislature, to the displeasure of Surrey香蕉视频直播擟loverdale MLA Elenore Sturko.
Rustad preached unity on Thursday, standing in front of his entire caucus as they nodded along to his session-ending speech.
香蕉视频直播淲e are united on the issues of values in this province,香蕉视频直播� he said.
He also pledged support for dissenting views.
香蕉视频直播淚 am proud of the fact that there could be some differences in voices,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淲e're here to represent all British Columbians.香蕉视频直播�
Learning the ropes
Out of 93 members across all parties, this was the first session for 56. At times, this became evident in debates with errors in parliamentary procedure.
At one point, when the Conservatives were intent on delaying Bill 7, the controversial tariff response legislation, it came to an abrupt vote on second reading because the Tories did not have the necessary people in the house to keep debate going.
Government House Leader Mike Farnworth acknowledged Wednesday that this also impacted the government香蕉视频直播檚 agenda.
香蕉视频直播淲e're dealing with a brand-new caucus, new ministers, new MLAs,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淟ikewise, on the other side of the house.香蕉视频直播�
The two BC Green Party MLAs were also rookies, but managed to push some of their agenda through by cutting a deal with the NDP.
香蕉视频直播淲e've upheld the tradition of punching above our weight,香蕉视频直播� interim party Leader Jeremy Valeriote said on Thursday.
After some wins and losses 香蕉视频直播� notably on Bill 14 and 15 香蕉视频直播� the two Green MLAs say they are satisfied with the agreement overall, but will take another look later this year.
香蕉视频直播淚t was acknowledged right at the outset that we'd have differences over legislation,香蕉视频直播� Greens MLA Rob Botterell said. 香蕉视频直播淏ut fundamentally, it's working, and this fall we'll have an opportunity, because it's a one-year agreement, to renegotiate as needed.香蕉视频直播�
An agenda upended
In the throne speech that opened the session, the government invoked the Second World War when referring to U.S. President Donald Trump香蕉视频直播檚 tariff threat.
Stewart Prest, a University of British Columbia political science professor, said this forced the government to back up its rhetoric about needing to take strong action to combat tariffs, and to push back against the narrative that the government can香蕉视频直播檛 get things done.
This resulted in the creation of bills 14 and 15, which go beyond the trade-related powers of Bill 7 to expedite energy and infrastructure projects.
Despite widespread opposition to those bills, Premier David Eby would not back down.
Prest said it was unprecedented to use the speaker to break a tie, even though the bills were presented as confidence motions.
香蕉视频直播淚t really suggests that the NDP had to use up all its political capital just to get these bills passed,香蕉视频直播� he said.
Now, the NDP will need to show they can take action.
香蕉视频直播淭he problems that were there in 2024 are still there in 2025,香蕉视频直播� Prest said. 香蕉视频直播淎nd the B.C. NDP are going to be judged on how they're able to respond to ongoing challenges like housing, like affordability and like reconciliation and inaction on the environment.香蕉视频直播�
