Tuesday February 18, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 8 am | Updated 3 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
TEXT OF FEBRUARY 18, 2025 BC THRONE SPEECH (click here for Throne Speech analysis)
Nearly nine months after the BC Legislative Assembly held its last day in the legislative chamber, the BC NDP government is back.
That starts with the Throne Speech to kick off the 43rd BC Parliament today, followed by the first day in the House tomorrow February 19.
A lot looks very new:
A lot looks very new in the 43rd BC Parliament:
- Same premier (though elected to the role this time vs internal move-up-the-ranks) but in a weakened majority (slim at best),
- many new government MLAs (many of the previous NDP MLAs did not win re-election),
- a nearly entirely new collection of official opposition MLAs in a fledgling new political party — minimal in experience but strong in number,
- two brand new third-party MLAs who have a tie that binds with the governing party (agreement signed in November to see certain benchmarks achieved in year one), and
- a brand new Lieutenant Governor (LG).
Overall, an old ship (the parliamentary and legislative process) with a new crew (yet to be tested balance between slim majority and ambitious opposition), in a new reality that is starkly different than ever before (given the direct economic threat posed by the United States).
Last month a new sub-committee within cabinet was formed to focus entirely on the US tariff threat and what may spill from that.
What will look and feel stable is the same Speaker, who British Columbians saw in the head chair for the last half of the the previous premier’s time.
Tone of the speech:
The Throne Speech is written by the government and delivered by the LG. It sets the tone for the new parliament.
Given the preview by the Finance Minister last week, the economic tone will be somber in the face of economic tariffs across the board for up to four years The premier is likely to say nice things about supporting British Columbians but if the economy struggles, so will the people.
Any new substance?
This new era under Premier Eby is a chance for BC and the NDP to shine.
- Will there be any brave new substance from this government other than what is imposed by necessity?
- Will the BC NDP government find more creative and sustainable ways to “support people” other than direct handouts (as they are now forced to do).
- Will they make real strides in shoring up food-growing sustainability within BC?
- Will worker sectors that are unprotected by federal EI (e.g. gig workers, part-time workers, self-employed) be protected when times get tough?
Premier Eby will address media at 3:15 pm today.
BC Budget 2025 will be released on Tuesday March 4 in which new trails might be outlined.
Federal and international:
Lurking beyond the BC scenario is a federal government in search of a new leader (new Liberal leader to be internally chosen March 9), and a Canadian federal election not too far in the offing.
Beyond all that is the world’s economic and military superpower continuing to torment one of its longtime closest allies, threatening both the economy and sovereignty of Canada.
Key players in the BC saga:
- Premier – David Eby (BC NDP)
- Finance Minister – Brenda Bailey
- Speaker – Raj Chouhan
- Opposition Leader – John Rustad (BC Conservative)
- Third Party – Jeremy Valeriote (BC Green)
- Lieutenant Governor – Wendy Cocchia
===== RELATED:
- Day one for 31st BC Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia (January 30, 2025)
- Eby appoints BC cabinet committee on economy & tariffs (January 29, 2025)
- Hospitality entrepreneur Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia appointed as BC’s new Lieutenant Governor (December 20, 2024)
- BC Conservatives announce their shadow cabinet (November 20, 2024)
- Eby’s cabinet: tight at the top along with cross-ministry combos (November 19, 2024)
- Premier Eby appoints his cabinet for the 43rd BC Parliament (November 18, 2024)
- Premier David Eby’s first press conference following thin-margin BC election results (October 22, 2024)
- NEWS SECTIONS: BC 2024 PROVINCIAL ELECTION ARCHIVE | BC NDP | CANADA-USA | 43rd BC PARLIAMENT