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Legislature recalled for new session beginning September 8

September 8 is set to mark the beginning of a new three-month legislative session. MLAs will return to Victoria on a Friday with a speech from the throne, with a new budget expected the following week.
bc_legislature_credit_bruce_stotesbury
Legislature building in Victoria | Photo: Bruce Stotesbury

September 8 is set to mark the beginning of a new three-month legislative session.

MLAs will return to Victoria on a Friday with a speech from the throne, with a new budget expected the following week. 

MLAs will sit for 37 days until November 30, with week-long breaks for Thanksgiving and Remembrance Day.

It will be the first legislative session that will test the governing deal between the BC NDP and Greens, a critical piece of the two parties' alliance and the NDP's minority government.

The two parties hold a combined 44 seats in the house, while the Liberals hold 42 following the resignation of former premier and party leader Christy Clark, who was defeated in a confidence vote in June. 

Officials with the office of the premier were not immediately available for comment. 

The NDP have already announced a number of initiatives in the lead up to the fall session, including a ban on the grizzly bear trophy hunt, raising the minimum wage 50 cents to $11.35 an hour, joining legal challenges against the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, and scrapping fees for adult education and English language training.

Meanwhile, a BC Utilities Commission report on the financial implications of the Site C dam is expected November 1.

The previous BC Liberal government cancelled plans for a 20-day fall legislative session in 2016. The legislature was in session for 26 days in fall 2015. 

BC Liberal Peace River North MLA Dan Davies noted the longer than usual legislative session.

"I'm not sure why they want to go this long, unless they have a colossal amount of legislation they want to pass," Davies said.

The session will also take place during the middle of his party's leadership race to replace Clark, he added.

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