MLAs express ‘surprise’ and ‘shock’ with Speaker move

Sep 8, 2017 | 4:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Abbotsford South MLA Daryl Plecas’ decision to take the Speaker’s chair caught his Liberal colleagues off guard today, including those from Kamloops.

“I was very surprised, shocked when I learned of Daryl’s decision to turn his back on his colleagues who have been there with him through thick and thin the past four-and-a-half years,” Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone told CFJC Today. “It gives the NDP-Greens more breathing room.”

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar was equally disappointed.

“More about how Mr. Plecas chose to go about doing it in terms of not being forthright with caucus. But ultimately it doesn’t change the numbers in the House that dramatically. Either way, the reality is you’d probably be looking at the full Green caucus supporting bringing down the government and that can still happen anyway.”

For now, Stone noted the job of the BC Liberals will be holding the NDP government to account.

“We’ll do our best to shine a bright light on things. It started today with a throne speech that was breathtaking in its focus on spending taxpayers money. I’m shocked at the amount of money they plan on spending with no mention of the economy and the importance of creating jobs and ensuring people are working.”

Plecas’ defection leaves the NDP and BC Liberals with 41 seats each. The BC Greens have three.

B.C. MLAs earn a base salary of $105,881.83. Plecas will earn an extra $52,940.92 as Speaker.