VICTORIA — The leaders of British Columbia's New Democrats and Greens have attended government house to deliver signed copies of their four-year agreement to run the province under a minority government.
A representative for Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon accepted the documents on her behalf.
John Horgan, leader of the NDP, and Green Leader Andrew Weaver say the deal strongly signals to the lieutenant-governor the commitment of the two parties to form B.C.'s next government.
The leaders say the agreement lays out a signed, good faith working arrangement for Guichon to consider in deliberations that could result in her asking the NDP to form a new government.
Premier Christy Clark has said she will recall the legislature next month where she expects a confidence vote will occur that will likely defeat her Liberal government.
Clark's Liberals won 43 seats in the May 9 election, one short of a majority, but the formal agreement with the NDP and Greens gives them 44 seats, amounting to a one seat majority.
Highlights Of The NDP-Green Deal In British Columbia
— The legislature would be recalled within one month of the swearing in of an NDP government.
— A referendum on proportional representation will take place in the fall of 2018, concurrent with the next municipal elections in the province.
— If it is approved, proportional representation would be used in the next provincial election.
— The parties agree to work together in good faith to consult British Columbians to determine the form of proportional representation that will be put to a referendum.
— The NDP and Greens will actively campaign in support of the system of proportional representation that is agreed on.
— Legislation would be introduced in the first sitting of the legislature to ban corporate and union donations and contributions from non-residents of British Columbia to the province's political parties, as well as placing limits on individual contributions and conduct a review of campaign finance and the Elections Act.
— The fixed election date would be moved from May to a date in the fall, starting in 2021.
— Implement an increase to the current $30-dollar per tonne carbon tax by $5 a tonne per year, beginning April 1, 2018, while giving rebate cheques to ensure a majority of taxpayers are better off financially than under the current carbon tax formula.
— Immediately refer the Site C hydroelectic dam construction project to the B.C. Utilities Commission to determine its economic viability.
— Employ every tool available to the new government to stop the expansion of Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline, which has already received federal approval.
— Set up an arm's-length commission that will be tasked with "establishing a pathway" to a minimum wage of at least $15 per hour and overseeing regular rate reviews.
— Create an emerging economy task force to address the changing nature of business over the next 10 to 25 years.
— Establish an commission to support innovation and business development in the technology sector, and appoint a commissioner with a mandate to advocate on behalf of the province's technology sector in Ottawa and abroad.
— In its first budget, the NDP would develop a proposal to implement an essential drugs program, designed to reduce the costs of prescription drugs and ensure the cost of drugs is not a barrier to health management.
— Invest in home care to enable seniors and other people who need assistance to stay in their own homes.
— Appoint a minister of mental health and addictions to develop and implement a mental-health and addiction strategy and a youth mental-health strategy.
— Develop an immediate response to the fentanyl crisis based on successful programs that invest in treatment-on-demand, drug substitution, early-warning monitoring systems, and a co-ordinated response to overdoses.
— Implement an agreed upon approach to improving access and reducing the cost of post-secondary education for students.
— Invest in childcare and early childhood education to improve quality, expand spaces, increase affordability and ensure childcare is accessible for all families, with a focus on early childhood education.
— Eliminate medical service premiums.
— Make housing more affordable by taking action to deal with the speculation and fraud that the NDP and Greens say is driving up prices.
