John Horgan will be B.C.'s new premier. What comes next?

British Columbians are waking up todayknowing who will finally be running the province for a little while, at least.

NDP Leader John Horgan announced Thursday evening that he will become the next premier, following a tumultuous day that saw Christy Clark's B.C. Liberals fall in a 44-42 vote of non-confidence.

The timeline for what happens next is still uncertain. Adate has yet to be set for theswearing in of B.C.'s 36thpremier.

The longevity and success of his term will depend on the strength of the agreement betweenHorganand Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver, who has pledged his caucus's support toHorganon matters of confidence.

It also rests on a razor-thin majority of 44 NDP and Green MLAs to the Liberals' 43.

John Horgan is B.C.'s new premier

7 years ago

Duration 1:03

He will have the opportunity to test the confidence of the legislature

OnceHorganis sworn in, one of his first challenges will be finding someone to serve as Speaker, following Liberal Speaker Steve Thomson's resignation on Thursday after the non-confidence vote. In the event of a tie vote, the Speakertraditionally votesin the interest of continuing debate, but at final reading will generally vote against new legislation.

Horganhas also outlined three priorities he wants to focus on the fentanyl crisis, the softwood lumber agreement and public education.

Tumultuous day

The news that Horganwill take the helm came not long after Clark met withLt.-Gov. JudithGuichonfor about 90 minutes Thursday. Clark hadasked for the dissolution of the house and a new election. But the Queen's representative declined that request, callingHorganinstead and getting an assurance that his NDP-Green alliance would have the confidence of the legislature.

• How the evening that ended 16 years of B.C. Liberal rule unfolded

"I look forward to working harder than I've ever worked before to make sure this great province continues to grow, and that the prosperity that we all want to see for ourselves, we can make sure we can share that prosperity with others," Horgan told reporters after Guichonasked him to form the next government.

Clark said she has offered the Lt.-Gov. her resignation, and Guichon issued a statement saying that she will accept it.

Christy Clark says she respects Lt.-Gov.'s decision

7 years ago

Duration 1:04

Premier asked for dissolution, but was turned down by Guichon