It was no small order.
The historic confidence and supply agreement (CASA) between the BC New Democratic Party and the BC Green Party last year committed the then-new provincial government to an ambitious policy timeline, one that included introducing multiple pieces of legislation in its first session, and taking immediate action on issues such as Site C and transportation.
In exchange for promises on a wide range of issues, the NDP would receive the confidence of the BC Greens, and ensure a continued place in power.
A review of the agreement, which took effect a year ago May 30, shows that the BC NDP have broken a couple of the agreement’s commitments. Of the contract’s more objective points, many commitments have been fulfilled, and many are either in progress or have yet to be directly addressed by government.
“Maybe early on, earlier in this term I was frustrated as we all were at the BC Greens at the lack of legislation the BC NDP were bringing forward, and then they dumped about 15 bills on us in the space of a few days,” said BC Green Party leader Andrew Weaver with a chuckle. “It’s all good.”
CASA does not cover every issue, and liquefied natural gas is a notable omission. Whether and how the agreement is lived up to, however, can indicate the strength of the relationship that defines B.C.’s first minority government in recent history.
“When we signed it, I think neither of us – the BC Greens or the BC NDP – knew what it was going to mean in terms of how we moved forward,” Weaver said. “So in the early days there were a few, you know, issues, but [most] of those have all been resolved.”
Good faith and no surprises are at the core of CASA, and Weaver admitted that there have been a few surprises here and there. But a year on, he characterizes his party’s relationship with the BC NDP as “absolutely wonderful.” And when it comes to confidence and supply, it’s the BC Greens’ perspective that counts.
Business in Vancouver distilled the 10-page agreement to analyze which joint commitments have been lived up to, which are in progress or remain unaddressed and which have been broken or missed. Not included are broad, ongoing directives, such as a commitment to consult the BC Green Party, and to promote and protect the public healthcare system.
Here is a look at CASA’s first year in practice.
Democracy:
• BROKEN: The legislature will be recalled within one month of the BC NDP’s swearing in.
Government was sworn in July 18, 2017. The legislature was recalled for the throne speech September 8, 2017.
• FULFILLED: Legislation around proportional representation will be introduced in the first sitting* of the next legislative session (September 12, 2017).
Legislation was introduced by Attorney General David Eby on October 4, 2017.
• FULFILLED: A referendum on proportional representation will take place in the fall of 2018.
New legislation requires that a referendum be held by November 30, 2018.
• FULFILLED: The form of proportional representation approved in the referendum will be enacted for the next provincial election.
This is according to the Electoral Reform Referendum 2018 Act.
Electoral finance:
• FULFILLED: Electoral finance reform will be introduced in government’s first sitting* of the next session (September 12, 2017).
Legislation was introduced by Attorney General David Eby on September 18, 2017.
• FULFILLED: The reform will ban corporate and union donations, and contributions from non-residents of B.C.
• FULFILLED: It will place limits on individual contributions.
• FULFILLED: Both parties agree to only accept loans from banks and recognized financial institutions.
Lobbying reform:
• FULFILLED: Lobbying reform legislation will be introduced in the first sitting* of the next session (September 12, 2017).
Legislation was introduced by Attorney General David Eby on October 2, 2017.
• FULFILLED: Former senior public office holders will fall under a multi-year lobbying prohibition.
• BROKEN: Penalties for lobbying violations will be increased.
Penalties remained the same: a fine of up to $25,000 for a first offence, and no more than $100,000 for a second or subsequent violation. A two-year lobbying ban may also be imposed.
• IN PROGRESS OR UNADRESSED: Initiate a comprehensive review of the Lobbyists Registration Act.
When introducing lobbying reforms on October 2, 2017, government confirmed a review would be launched within a year. The review is still to come.
• FULFILLED: Government will move the fixed election date from May to fall. Legislation will be introduced in the first sitting (September 12, 2017).
Legislation was introduced by David Eby on October 4, 2017.
• IN PROGRESS OR UNADRESSED: Spring and fall sittings of the legislature are held every year.
Jobs, climate and economy:
• FULFILLED: Implement a carbon tax of $5 per tonne, per year starting April 1, 2018.
• IN PROGRESS OR UNADRESSED: Expand the tax to fugitive emissions and slash-pile burning.
Government announced in March it is working to develop a framework to reduce fugitive emissions by 45% by 2025. The province is also examining ways to reduce emissions from slash-pile burning.
• IN PROGRESS OR UNADRESSED: Deliver rebate cheques to British Columbians.
• IN PROGRESS OR UNADRESSED: Implement a climate action strategy to meet B.C.’s climate targets.
A renewed climate action strategy is expected this fall. It is preceded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Amendment Act tabled in May.
• FULFILLED: Immediately refer Site C to the BC Utilities Commission for review.
• FULFILLED: Immediately employ “every tool available” to stop the expansion of the Kinder Morgan pipeline, increase in tanker traffic and transportation of raw bitumen through B.C.
• FULFILLED: Immediately establish a Fair Wages Commission. Its first report will come within 90 days of its first meeting.
• IN PROGRESS OR UNADRESSED: Invest over four years to support co-op, apprenticeship and work experience programs for high school and undergraduate students.
• PARTLY FULFILLED: Establish an Emerging Economic Task Force, which will report to government within one year of the first sitting (September 12, 2017).
• PARTLY FULFILLED: Establish an Innovation Commission. It will be created in the first provincial budget.
The Innovation Commission was announced March 1, 2018.
• IN PROGRESS OR UNADRESSED: Reinvigorate B.C.’s forest sector.
Among the government’s initiatives to date: $7.8 million toward promoting B.C. wood overseas, and a formal review of the province’s forest inventory program.
• FULFILLED: Revitalize the Environmental Assessment process in B.C., and review failures in the professional reliance model.
Fixing services:
• BROKEN: Develop a proposal to implement an essential drugs program in the first provincial budget.
The first provincial budget does not propose an essential drugs program. It does allocate $105 million over three years to help subsidize prescription drug costs for low-income individuals and families.
• FULFILLED: Invest in home care for seniors.
• IN PROGRESS OR UNADRESSED: Create a minister responsible for developing a mental health and addiction strategy, and a youth mental health strategy.
• IN PROGRESS OR UNADRESSED: Develop an immediate response to the fentanyl crisis and invest in proven programs.
• FULFILLED: Restore funding to Adult Basic Education and English language learning.
• IN PROGRESS OR UNADRESSED: Allocate funding for in-service skills training for small- and medium-sized enterprise workers, as well as retraining for those displaced by changing markets or automation.
While funding and training have yet to come, the province’s new Small Business Task Force will be consulting with business owners across B.C. in June around areas of need.
• FULFILLED: Review the funding model for K-12 education.
A review is underway and a new funding model is anticipated for the 2019/2020 school year.
• FULFILLED: Invest in childcare and early childhood education.
• IN PROGRESS OR UNADRESSED: Invest to hire additional social workers and staff.
In Budget 2018 $6 million over three years was allocated to the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction in part to increase staffing.
• FULFILLED: Tighten rules that protect landlords and tenants.
Affordability:
• IN PROGRESS OR UNADRESSED: Design a B.C.-wide poverty reduction strategy.
The B.C. government will release a consultation feedback report in June 2018, and poverty reduction legislation in the fall with a strategy to follow.
• FULFILLED: This includes a basic income pilot program funded in the first provincial budget.
The pilot in this case is the Basic Income Expert Committee, funded with $4 million over two years.
• IN PROGRESS OR UNADRESSED: Develop a genuine progress indicator for B.C. in consultation with communities, not-for-profits, business and industry.
• FULFILLED: Eliminate MSP premiums.
Full elimination takes effect January 1, 2020.
• FULFILLED: Increase affordable housing supply.
• FULFILLED: Take action to deal with speculation and fraud.
*In the context of CASA, 'first sitting' extends throughout the first session of the legislature, according to the BC Greens. According to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia's glossary of terms, a session is made up of multiple sittings. The first, in this case, would have occurred on September 12, 2017.
