February 9, 2025
RED FM News Desk
A major political shift occurred in British Columbia today as the BC Green Party announced it will not renew its governing agreement with the BC NDP once it expires next month. The decision marks a significant turning point for the province’s minority government.
The agreement, known as the Co-operation and Responsible Government Accord (CARGA), was originally designed to provide stability for the NDP government, which held a slim one-seat majority. In exchange for the Greens’ support, both parties had committed to working toward a series of shared policy goals.
BC Green Party Leader Emily Lowan stated that the decision to walk away stems from “stalled or undelivered” commitments by the New Democrats. She highlighted several key areas of friction, including a lack of progress on expanded community healthcare, the absence of meaningful electoral reform, and the failure to improve transit services on Vancouver Island and the Sea-to-Sky region. Lowan further criticized the government for allegedly prioritizing corporate interests over the needs of working families struggling with the rising cost of living.
In response, Deputy Premier Niki Sharma issued a statement defending the government’s record, noting that while the parties have done “good work” over the past year, common ground could not be reached. Sharma suggested that the breakdown occurred because the Greens would not rule out voting with the BC Conservatives on confidence motions that could trigger an early election. She emphasized that British Columbians want action on their priorities rather than a return to the polls.
The current seat count in the Legislature stands at 47 for the BC NDP, 39 for the BC Conservatives, 5 Independents, and 2 for the BC Greens. Without the formal accord, the NDP must now navigate the legislature on an issue-by-issue and vote-by-vote basis. While the Greens have withdrawn their formal partnership, the power to call an election remains solely with Premier David Eby.
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