Horgan, Weaver look to Liberals for help in keeping B.C. legislature afloat
VICTORIA — The leaders of British Columbia’s New Democrats and Greens say it is not unprecedented for an Opposition member to serve as Speaker as they prepare to navigate a potentially tricky political situation in the provincial legislature.
NDP Leader John Horgan and Green Leader Andrew Weaver are using former Liberal MP Peter Milliken as an example, saying he served as Speaker in the House of Commons during a minority Conservative government.
“Peter Milliken, elected Speaker after five ballots under (former prime minister) Jean Chretien back in 2001, served as the Speaker through successive Conservative minority and majority governments,” Weaver said Wednesday.
B.C.’s election last month did not produce a clear winner in the 87-seat legislature with Christy Clark’s Liberals winning 43 seats, the NDP 41 and the Greens three.