Deal with Greens gives B.C. NDP a four-year runway

VICTORIA — When the election left the New Democrats clinging to their majority by a single seat last year, they expected to face major challenges passing bills and managing the business of the legislature.

Those concerns have been greatly reduced by the NDP’s success in securing another working agreement with the Greens.

The co-operation and responsible government accord is not as comprehensive as the confidence and supply agreement the two parties reached to install John Horgan as premier back in 2017.

Nevertheless, the latest accord, announced last month, represents a major gain for the Premier David Eby-led New Democrats and improves their chance of serving a full term of government.

The key clause commits the two-member B.C. Green caucus to supporting “all confidence votes” in the legislature, meaning those where the survival of the NDP government would be at stake. Confidence matters are broadly defined later in the text.

Green MLAs Rob Botterell and Jeremy Valeriote agree to support the New Democrats on the annual motion endorsing the government’s agenda as laid out in the speech from the throne.

They will vote with the NDP on all motions and legislation related to supply, meaning the supply of money necessary to fund ministries, agencies and programs.

They will also be there for the NDP on all stages — first, second and third readings — for any tax changes, as contained in any budget measures implementation act.

They’ve further agreed to join the New Democrats in voting down any Opposition measure that explicitly states that the government does not have the confidence of the house.

The accord also leaves the door open for the Greens and New Democrats to designate other motions and bills as a matter of confidence in the government.

So much for Opposition leader John Rustad’s threat to bring down the government at the first opportunity.

The 44 Conservatives will be up against the combined voting strength of 46 NDP and 2 Green MLAs. Speaker Raj Chouhan would also be in reserve to break any tie in favour of the government.

The Greens further agreed that their house leader — Saanich MLA Botterell — will co-operate with his NDP counterpart, government house leader Mike Farnworth, on the management of the legislature.

The two will work together “to allow for stages to be completed for passage of agreed-upon bills and motions.”

Botterell agrees not to spring any bills or motions on the government first giving 48 hours notice and discussing the implications with Farnworth.

The NDP and Green caucuses “have a shared commitment to ensuring stable governance that is focused on delivering progress and tangible outcomes for British Columbians,” says the seven-page agreement in principle.

“Accordingly, they agree to form this political agreement (accord) to work together. … on shared initiatives and co-operate in the legislative process to ensure good governance and respect for our democratic institutions.”

The accord includes confidentiality provisions that could assist the New Democrats in keeping a lid on things until the timing suits them for release.

“Where briefings or other consultations are provided by the government to the Green caucus with respect to legislation, policy or budgetary matters, all discussions or records or information shared by government shall be confidential unless otherwise agreed.”

There’s also a provision for non-disclosure agreements, something the Greens have opposed in other situations.

“NDAs must be executed before there is any discussion of information by government that is subject to cabinet confidentiality including draft legislation or any type of privilege, including solicitor-client privilege or any privilege of the house.”

The two parties and their leaders will co-operate and consult. This includes monthly meetings of party leaders, quarterly meetings of a team leadership main table, regular meetings of the party house leaders, and as-needed meetings involving individual MLAs.

The two caucuses will release reports on “quantitative and qualitative progress within 30 days of the end of each calendar quarter.”

In the event of a breakdown, “any breaches or disagreements about progress will be discussed between house leaders.” If they cannot reach consensus, the dispute will be escalated to party leaders David Eby and Sonia Furstenau.

“No comments will be made publicly prior to a leaders’ discussion.”

One can always hope for leaks, I guess.

The accord cautions that the Greens are not bound to support NDP government “initiatives and other matters not addressed within this agreement.”

The terms are “subject to annual renewal at the sole discretion of each of the parties.”

Still, the text maintains that the “accord will provide a four-year framework for co-operation and responsible government.” It echoes Eby’s aspiration to serve out a full four-year term of government.

With all those guarantees of confidence, support, co-operation and confidentiality, the Greens have gone a long way to secure the NDP’s position and put Eby’s mind at ease.

The Greens did not have as much leverage this time as back in 2017, when the NDP was several seats short of a majority. However, they did manage to secure a few concessions from the government.

But that is a topic for another day.

vpalmer@postmedia.com