Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
ADVT 
National

The hallways look the same and where are the bathrooms, say B.C.'s newly elected MLAs

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Nov, 2024 11:19 AM
  • The hallways look the same and where are the bathrooms, say B.C.'s newly elected MLAs

A record number of first-time provincial politicians are about to descend on British Columbia's legislature, looking to make positive contributions for the province and trying to find the washrooms in the 127-year-old building.

Fifty-seven new members from three parties, New Democrats, B.C. Conservatives and Greens, were elected to serve first terms in the 93-seat legislature in B.C. last month. 

The number of new faces could be 56 if New Democrat Jodie Wickens isn't counted. She was elected in a 2016 byelection but subsequently defeated in the 2017 provincial election.

Voters in British Columbia elected 49 women, the first majority female legislature in provincial history.

The legislature's hallways exuded a first-day-of-school atmosphere last week as Premier David Eby's New Democrats, including his cast of newly elected MLAs, gathered for their first caucus meeting just hours after final counts from Elections BC confirmed a one-seat majority government for the NDP, pending two judicial recounts.

There were smiles, handshakes and hugs as the 47 elected New Democrats, including 18 new members, congratulated each other.

"It was definitely a really great feeling to be in the room with our caucus partners meeting everybody," said rookie MLA Diana Gibson, who won the Oak Bay-Gordon Head riding previously held by retired New Democrat Murray Rankin.

"It's certainly different coming in on your first day of work as an MLA," said Gibson, acknowledging there was a first day of school feeling "except with an incredible amount of honour and responsibility."

Of the NDP's new caucus, 29 are returning members of the legislature and 18 are newly elected, while 31 of them are women and 16 are men. 

Gibson, an entrepreneur, business leader and social planning advocate who has never held elected office, said the mix of new and experienced caucus members can produce results.

"That balance does create a new kind of energy," she said. "The new caucus coming in has some incredible bench strength and really great skills."

Debra Toporowski, the newly elected New Democrat for Cowichan Valley, who has previously been elected to local councils for Cowichan Tribes and the community of North Cowichan, said going to the legislature made everything "more real."

"I felt at home," she said. "I felt very comfortable. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work."

But the layout of the legislature building will take some getting used to, said Toporowski who needed directions to the washroom.

"Yes, I felt very welcomed by the staff," she said.

Gibson said navigating the legislature's halls will require some practice.

"Every hallway looks just like the last hallway. But the staff have been fantastic about giving directions," she said.

B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad said he expects his party's caucus to be sworn in on Nov. 12, days after the last of the ballot recounts. 

Elections BC said it would hold judicial recounts in the ridings of Surrey-Guildford and Kelowna Centre on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8. 

The B.C. Conservatives elected 44 members, 26 men and 18 women, pending the recounts.

"A year and a half ago we had, what, two per cent in the polls, and no MLAs," said Rustad. "It's quite an accomplishment for our party. I'm very proud of the team that has been elected and put together."

MLAs and party staff have been participating in virtual orientation sessions over the past week.

The legislature has also scheduled two days of in-person orientation sessions for Nov. 14 and 15, which will involve having all 93 MLAs from the three parties gathered together in the legislative chamber to take part in a mock sitting.

"It's an exciting time for us," said Legislature Clerk Kate Ryan-Lloyd. "We're happy to help the members with all their needs as they establish their new offices and take on their new responsibilities."

But while many new MLAs are preparing to settle in at the legislature, others are packing up and moving out.

Staff and members of the former Official Opposition BC United were expected to vacate their offices by Friday evening to make room for the B.C. Conservatives.

"It feels surreal," said former BC United press secretary Andrew Reeve. "I've been part of this building for almost eight years of my life. Next week it's a place that's not my home anymore."

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon suspended the party's campaign in late August and urged party members and candidates to support the B.C. Conservatives in a move to prevent a split vote on the centre right that would benefit the NDP.

Eby said his early priorities involve swearing in a new cabinet, recalling the legislature for a brief sitting and electing a Speaker.

He said the date for the sitting has not yet been set.

MORE National ARTICLES

Pickpocketing taking place in New Westminster

Pickpocketing taking place in New Westminster
Police in New Westminster are asking residents to watch out for thieves targeting coat racks near the entrances of local businesses as winter approaches. Police say suspects typically take items such as wallets and cell phones from coats left on racks.

Pickpocketing taking place in New Westminster

Fatal residential fire in North Cowichan

Fatal residential fire in North Cowichan
Mounties in North Cowichan are investigating after a residential fire resulted in a death. R-C-M-P says officers were called to the scene at around 9:30 a.m. on October 28th, which prompted responses from North Cowichan, Maple Bay, Crofton and Chemainus.

Fatal residential fire in North Cowichan

First of six units begin generating power at B.C.'s Site C dam

First of six units begin generating power at B.C.'s Site C dam
BC Hydro says the massive Site C dam project in northeastern British Columbia has started generating power. The provincial electric utility says in a statement that the first of six generating units on the Site C dam has begun operations after completing testing and commissioning procedures.

First of six units begin generating power at B.C.'s Site C dam

PM's national security adviser shared India interference allegations with counterpart

PM's national security adviser shared India interference allegations with counterpart
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's national security adviser says she shared the explosive allegations about Indian officials taking part in criminal activity in Canada with her counterpart in New Delhi before the RCMP went public with the news this month. Nathalie Drouin told the House of Commons national security committee today there was an effort to work with the Indian government to ensure accountability. 

PM's national security adviser shared India interference allegations with counterpart

Google exempt from Online News Act for five years, must pay news outlets $100M: CRTC

Google exempt from Online News Act for five years, must pay news outlets $100M: CRTC
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has granted Google a five-year exemption from the Online News Act, ordering it to release the $100 million it now owes to Canadian news outlets within 60 days. Google agreed last year to pay Canadian news publishers $100 million a year, indexed to inflation, in order to be exempt from the law, which compels tech companies to enter into agreements with news publishers to pay for content reposted on their platforms.

Google exempt from Online News Act for five years, must pay news outlets $100M: CRTC

'Nobody wants to blow up the party': Trudeau staying, despite resignation calls

'Nobody wants to blow up the party': Trudeau staying, despite resignation calls
Several Liberal MPs are calling for a secret ballot vote on Justin Trudeau's leadership after he made clear he isn't going anywhere in spite of the calls from within his caucus to step down.  Two dozen members of caucus signed a letter that gave Trudeau until Monday to respond to their demand for his resignation as party leader.

'Nobody wants to blow up the party': Trudeau staying, despite resignation calls