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News flash: BC Green Party leader issues firm ultimatum to Horgan – sort of

News flash, December 11, 2017: B.C. Premier John Horgan says the province will proceed with the Site C hydroelectric project, over the strenuous objection of his party’s partner in minority government, Andrew Weaver of the BC Green Party.
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News flash, December 11, 2017: B.C. Premier John Horgan says the province will proceed with the Site C hydroelectric project, over the strenuous objection of his party’s partner in minority government, Andrew Weaver of the BC Green Party. Weaver says it’s an unconscionable and unnecessary project that will be a drain on public coffers, but he declines to back out of his covenant with the BC NDP.

News flash, March 8, 2018: Andrew Weaver criticizes the proposed “speculation tax” on housing, saying it is botched policy with unintended consequences for British Columbians. Even though voting against a budget is a confidence measure in the legislature, Weaver has not pledged to take the government down over what he assails.

News flash, March 22: The NDP offers generous tax concessions to spur liquefied natural gas investment. Weaver is enangered, but says his party will not topple the NDP minority government this instant. He wants to see the province’s climate change plan by the fall, and says he will absolutely bring the government down if fails that test.

Other news flash, March 22: Weaver dismisses the notion he is looking past policy differences and propping the NDP long enough to ensure there is a referendum on proportional representation.

News flash, March 29: Weaver decries a new NDP housing strategy to finance construction of $5 million homes to encourage real estate speculation. He is furious that it abandons the low-income housing strategy his party signed on to support. He threatens to vote against the measure and prompt an election if there are not “eventual changes.”

News flash, April 15: On the heels of a government move to repeal its child care plan, Weaver calls the premier “many bad names in private” and summons his two caucus colleagues to move ahead their timetable and agree that the government will fall sometime in 2021 unless there are “reconsidered values.”

News flash, May 1: Weaver complains when the government seizes his personal assets through cabinet order, calling it “a betrayal” that merits reconsideration of their covenant. He argues Horgan “is not the man I knew” but will stand by his support “unless there are problems I cannot foresee.”

News flash, May 15: Weaver, homeless, learns from friends that the NDP government has relented on its opposition to the Kinder Morgan pipeline. “Now that does it, I’m mad,” he says. “This is absurd. I intend to issue a press release.”

News flash, May 30: Horgan, asked whether there are cracks in his alliance with Weaver, says they “meet all the time. I bring him sandwiches. He seems content and we take his concerns into due consideration at all times.” Horgan, following the consultations, later in the day repeals the carbon tax. Weaver takes to Twitter.

News flash, June 7: Weaver expresses “indignation” about proposed changes to the Insurance Corp. of B.C. that would raise premiums for Green Party members by 173%. “This is unconscionable,” he fumes, “and I intend to meet the premier when he has time to discuss it. “

News flash, June 15: The provincial government decides, after all, it will build a replacement for the Massey Tunnel and finance it with revenue redirected from its clean technology industrial strategy. Weaver yodels about “hypocrisy” in the legislature, the Speaker asks for order, and the Green leader immediately apologizes.

News flash, July 1: Horgan invites BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson to celebrations for Canada Day but leaves Weaver off the list of invitees for the party. The Green leader calls it “a day to forget” and instantly does.

News flash, July 15: Horgan, fatigued of Weaver’s threats, calls an election and calls off a referendum on proportional representation. “It is clear the Green Party leader has not made the case for the sort of firm leadership that would merit increased numbers in our legislature. I suppose we will just have to secure a majority and keep it that way,” the premier says. Weaver responds by tearing up his copy of the Confidence and Supply Agreement, paying special attention to the page with Horgan’s signature and tearing it more aggressively. “This is war,” he declares.

Kirk LaPointe is editor-in-chief of Business in Vancouver Media Group and vice-president, Glacier Media.