It’s a throne speech like no other. The Liberal government is borrowing heavily from the NDP and the Green Party platforms. Faced with looming defeat, tomorrow’s speech includes a poverty-reduction plan and a billion dollars for new childcare spaces. Mary Griffin reports.
Attending a B.C. Liberal Women?s Lunch on Wednesday, Premier Christy Clark sounds as though she’s campaigning.
“I am going to do my best to ensure the government looks, feels, and is different,” Clark said.
It’s not the campaign trail but looks and sounds like it. But this time, the only voters that matter are the 87 MLAs.
And Clark is speaking directly to them. “We are going back to the house to ban corporate and union donations. A new one billion dollar investment in childcare, and early childcare development in British Columbia. Social assistance rates, as you know, are one that we are going to be
“We are going back to the house to ban corporate and union donations,” Clark said. A new $1 billion investment in childcare, and early childcare development in British Columbia. Social assistance rates, as you know, are one that we are going to be
A new $1 billion investment in childcare, and early childcare development in British Columbia. Social assistance rates, as you know, are one that we are going to be raising by $100 a month.”
These are some of the details in Thursday’s throne speech, and it’s all about social programs.
The speech is a dramatic departure from Clark’s campaigning, which focused on jobs and the economy.
“I have spent every day of this campaign talking about jobs because at the end of the day for me, a job means hope for our kids,” Clark said.
“I think the thing that matters most to British Columbians is jobs.”
Michael Prince, a University of Victoria political scientist believes the premier is already in campaign mode, “the next election campaign is on.”
“The next election campaign is on,” Prince said.
The government is prepared to fall with a non-confidence vote, likely next week.
But Prince says Clark is preparing the groundwork for another election. “We’re seeing a fascinating election campaign playing out after an election campaign,” says Prince. “This throne speech, which is normally the stuff of pomp and circumstance, and a few fluffy congratulatory words. This is going to be chock full of policy promises and platforms.”
“We’re seeing a fascinating election campaign playing out after an election campaign,” Prince said.”This throne speech, which is normally the stuff of pomp and circumstance, and a few fluffy congratulatory words. This is going to be chock full of policy promises and platforms.”
“This throne speech, which is normally the stuff of pomp and circumstance, and a few fluffy congratulatory words. This is going to be chock full of policy promises and platforms.”
The NDP also caucus met Wednesday and judging by the reaction to their leader John Horgan, they’re thrilled.
“Apparently there is going to be an NDP throne speech tomorrow,” Horgan said.
“It certainly looks that way anyhow.”
Green Party leader Andrew Weaver is pleased to see a reversal in the government.
“We’re really excited to see that the B.C. Liberals have had an awakening at the 11th hour,” Weaver said.
Mary Griffin
