Two newly elected members of British ColumbiaB次元官网网址檚 Green Party will officially take their seats in the legislature following the first of three swearing-in ceremonies since last monthB次元官网网址檚 provincial election.
The two Greens B次元官网网址� lawyer Rob Botterell, representing Saanich North and the Islands, and geological engineer Jeremy Valeriote, of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, who were elected on Oct. 19 in a tight election race B次元官网网址� could play pivotal roles in the legislature, where Premier David EbyB次元官网网址檚 New Democrats hold a slim one-seat majority.
John RustadB次元官网网址檚 B.C. Conservatives, who captured 44 seats in last monthB次元官网网址檚 election, were to be sworn in Tuesday evening in a second ceremony at the legislature.
Rustad said there was B次元官网网址渁 lot of excitementB次元官网网址� among the party members.
B次元官网网址淓verybody is, you know, very eager to get at it and start the work.B次元官网网址�
Speaking to reporters earlier Tuesday, the Conservative leader touted diversity in his caucus, saying it includes the first Black woman to be elected in B.C. since Rosemary Brown, who entered the legislature in 1972, and the first MLA from the Sto:lo Nation.
B次元官网网址淚 think in Canada, as a percentage, we have the largest number of women elected as a Conservative caucus in this country,B次元官网网址� Rustad said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot to be proud of.B次元官网网址�
Judicial recounts in two B.C. ridings last week confirmed EbyB次元官网网址檚 slim majority government with the NDP holding 47 seats in the 93-seat legislature.
Eby and his New Democrat MLAs are to be sworn in Wednesday at the legislature.
The premier, who will announce his new cabinet next week, is expected to recall the legislature in the coming days for a short fall sitting to elect a Speaker.
Botterell said the Greens and NDP continue to work on plans to co-operate in the legislature, but he wouldnB次元官网网址檛 provide details.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e in discussions with the NDP and right now weB次元官网网址檙e putting together our plan for the next four years,B次元官网网址� he said after his swearing-in. B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 really give you any hints yet.B次元官网网址�
While Sonia Furstenau lost her bid for re-election in Victoria, she is staying on for now as leader of the provincial Greens.
She attended the ceremony along with federal Green Leader Elizabeth May.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a very encouraging day. It means a lot,B次元官网网址� said May. B次元官网网址淭o see Jeremy Valeriote be our foothold for the first time, first elected Green in B.C. who wasnB次元官网网址檛 from Vancouver Island, and in my own riding with Robert Botterell in Saanich North and the Islands, IB次元官网网址檓 extremely gratified.B次元官网网址�
