BC NDP and Greens deal a “power grab,” says PG North Cariboo MLA

BC NDP and Green Party agreement is simply “a power grab to ensure their footing” according to Prince George – North Cariboo MLA Sheldon Clare.

“This looks to me like the NDP is basically the big fish and swallowed the small fish. That’s the Green Party, who are now back of the back of the NDP back benches. What’s been negotiated is the NDP have agreed to review stuff that they say the Greens want, but really it’s all stuff the NDP were going to do anyway.”

The agreement, called the 2024 Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord outlines an agreed upon list of priorities between the NDP and Greens. The term of the deal is set for four years and will be renewed annually.

“When you look at what did the Greens really get out of this, it’s tempting to say nothing,” Clare says.

The NDP barely won 47 seats to form a majority government in October’s provincial election, with the Conservative party winning 44 seats, and the Greens winning two.

“What this is really about is trying to shut down, or trying to build a majority out of what is a very small majority,” says Clare. “They are basically trying to grab up seats any way they can so that they feel they can govern more securely than otherwise would be the case.”

Clare went on to say that his role as the BC Conservative Party’s Deputy Whip will be even more important as every vote in the legislation is going to really count.

–Files by Teryn Midzain, My Cariboo Now