B.C. NDP government and B.C. Greens finalize confidence agreement
NDP won a 1-seat majority in 2024 election, Greens have 2-member caucus
British Columbia's NDP government and the B.C. Green Party caucus have signed an agreement that consolidates the New Democrats' hold on the provincial legislature where they have a one-seat majority.
A statement from the NDP caucus says the final deal includes an "additional commitment" to consult the Greens on U.S. tariff and trade actions related to "shared initiatives" such as housing, health care, transit, environment and social justice.
The agreement says the parties' top shared priorities include the creation of "tens of thousands" of affordable non-market housing units, as well as a commitment to expand key transit routes to maintain cheap and reliable public transportation.
Interim Green leader Jeremy Valeriote, who is part of a two-person caucus, says in a statement that the deal ensures "a stable government" that puts British Columbians ahead of "political manoeuvring."
Premier David Eby says the finalization of the agreement means people can expect to see the legislature "work together and make progress on the big challenges" the province is facing.
The basis of the deal was announced in December, committing the two Greens to providing confidence to Eby's New Democrats, who won 47 seats in B.C.'s 93-seat legislature.
The Official Opposition B.C. Conservatives won 44 seats, but their ranks have thinned to 41 with the recent departure of three members now sitting as Independents.
The agreement announced last year is different from the confidence-and-supply agreement reached between the two parties that propped up the John Horgan-led NDP minority government in 2017.
It names initiatives such as more community health centres, expanded mental health care coverage, non-profit housing, homelessness, updating the Clean B.C. climate plan, protecting Fairy Creek and discussing electoral reform.