Uncertainty the word as B.C. political parties wrestle for power

Andrew Weaver is the man with all the power.

The B.C. Green Party leader heads a party with just three MLAs. But those three votesare the difference between either the Liberals or the NDP having enough support to pass legislation.

After three full days of vote counting and recounting and a 15-day wait, British Columbia now has a final result from the provincial election. The B.C. Liberals will get the first opportunity to govern, with 43 seats butthe NDP could be next, with 41, and the Greens hold the balance of power with their three.

"We have not come up with a plan with either party," Weaver said shortly after the final count was revealed by Elections BC. "There are a number of options we could discuss that are on the table.

"We are committed to give British Columbians certainty that actually ensures that British Columbians' interest, not partisan interests, are first and foremost."

Uncharted territory

But what does that certainty look like?

Although Weaver may be offering stability, uncertaintyis what he provides,because few observers are 100 per cent sure what will come next.This ispolitical territorynever beforeseen for them.

Weaver focused on what he calls "serious" negotiations with both the B.C. Liberals and the NDP. But he's had a changing list of criteria needed to get Green support, especially when it comes to how long a deal would last.

"Idon't think BritishColumbianswant to go back to the polls any time soon. We have said to both parties we want to negotiate in the long term. There is nothing magical about two years.There is nothing magical about three. There is nothing stopping us for looking for four," said Weaver.

"Controversial issues we are discussing now, so we give both parties asense of issues that are important, recognizing that compromise is critical."

NDP confident

When NDP Leader John Horgan spoke to reporters following the final result of the election on Wednesday, it was hard not to see his confidence.

Horganis convinced that the NDP provides the best option for the Green Party.

They agree on many issuesincluding stopping the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion, banning union and corporate donations in B.C. politics and changing the provincial electoral system to proportional representation.

Together the parties would havejust 44 seats, the slimmest ofmajorities.

"I do know 60 per cent of British Columbians have voted for a new government and they haven't got one yet," said Horgan. "I have been talking to the Green Party leader and his team and I am optimistic we will be able to put together a framework that has a majority of the support in the legislature."

Clark to get first crack

As for Premier Christy Clark, she seems to be sitting on the sidelines for now. While both Horgan and Weaver spoke to media Wednesday soon after the election results were known, Clark sent a statement.

The B.C. Liberal leader is also taking a passenger seat for the ongoing negotiations with the Green Party. She's absent from her party's negotiating team, while Horgan and Weaver are heading their teams.

Regardless of whether Horgan and Weaver come to an agreement, Clark will get the first crack at forming a government, but it is still unclear whether she will be able to gain the confidence of the legislature.

In order to do so, the B.C. Liberals would have to pass a budget or a throne speech.

B.C. has elected a minority government. What's next?

7 years ago

Duration 2:42

CBC's legislative reporter Richard Zussman breaks down the likely scenarios.

University of British Columbia political scientist Max Cameron saidthe tone Clark sent from her statement indicates she is not confident she can get a deal.

"It sounded to me like she was going at it alone," said Cameron.

Cameron is intrigued by what would happen if the Greens and the NDP come forward with a deal before Clark tests if she has enough votes to pass legislation.

He saidthe "right course of action would probably be for Clark toresign," but she has no legal obligation to do that and could either ask Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichonto send the province back to the polls, or try topass a throne speech or budget.

"We are in the realm ofconventions as opposed to legal regulations or laws you can consult as to what people have to do, particularly in the case of the lieutenant-governor. She has a lot of power," said Cameron.

"There is nothing that binds her to take a particular course of action."

This is British Columbia's first minority government since 1952, so there is not a lot of history to dictate what sort of decisions the lieutenant-governor would make, either.

• Eyes turn to B.C.'s lieutenant-governor in minority government
• Why a B.C. Green-NDP coalition is no slam dunk
• B.C. NDP and Greens working on a governing framework, 'but we don't have that today'