Nanaimo by-election critical to BC legislature

Harris has strong family ties in Nanaimo as his family has been there for six generations. The NDP has historically been a stronghold in the riding but a Liberal win would tie them with the NDP and Green Party alliance with 43 seats. The deciding vote would then go to House Speaker Darryl Plecas.

“Unlike other parliamentary jurisdictions, BC doesn’t have confidence votes everyday so I don’t think we’d see an election straight away,” explained UNBC Political Scientist Jason Morris. “Things like budgets can become motions of confidence and if the government doesn’t pass the budget, the government is said to fall.”

If the government were to fall, an election would be held but even if it doesn’t, uncertainty could remain high according to UNBC’s Morris.

“If there is no change in the Nanaimo by-election, things will continue as they are but as they are it’s still really precarious in terms of the legislature without a majority government. So we could continue to see things being very dicey for how long the government lasts.

“As well there are recall campaigns that could soon be starting in which even the Speaker could face losing the position if enough signatures are signed. That would throw things up into great uncertainty as well.”

This by-election comes as a result of Leonard Krog stepping down from his MLA position for his new role of mayor.

by Matt Fetinko

Nanaimo by-election critical to BC legislature

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