British Columbia 's Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is a collection of land where agriculture is designated as the priority use. Farming is encouraged and non-agricultural uses are restricted.
126-569: The ALR was established by the British Columbia New Democratic Party government of Dave Barrett in 1973 to preserve the province's limited farmland from urbanization. The ALR covers 4.6 million hectares (46 thousand square kilometers, equivalent to 18 thousand square miles), or about 4.9% of British Columbia's land base. There are six ALR administrative regions: South Coast, Interior, Island, Kootenay, North, and Okanagan. Tax breaks are applicable to property in
252-606: A confidence and supply agreement. This meant the Greens are obliged to vote with the NDP in matters of confidence – keeping the government from falling – but were allowed to vote freely on legislation brought forward by the NDP government. On June 29, the minority Liberal government of Premier Christy Clark was defeated 44–42 by the NDP-Green alliance in a confidence vote , leading Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon to ask Horgan to form
378-600: A majority government on its own. For the ten years that the coalition held together, the CCF was the Official Opposition in the legislature. After the coalition fell apart in 1951, the government introduced the alternative vote electoral system, allowing voters to make two choices. They expected that Conservative voters would list the Liberals as their second choice and vice versa. The government hoped to prevent
504-557: A snap election . On December 7, 2017, Horgan announced that, following a review and despite his earlier opposition, the NDP government had decided to continue with construction of the Site C hydroelectric power plant. Horgan cited the review conducted by the BC Utilites Commission, which found that the cost to taxpayers of continuing with the project would be less than that of cancelling the project. Horgan emphasized that
630-505: A comparable property assessed as Residential in the ALR would pay $ 3,880 in property tax. The study notes that questions of equity among taxpayers have emerged, since residential and commercial uses within the ALR create demand for services that are financed by local governments through property taxes (utilities, transit, police, fire and emergency services). Structures and farm-related commercial and industrial uses are restricted, but permitted in
756-589: A constitutional duty to test Parliament's confidence as the incumbent premier. Clark initiated the first session of the 41st Parliament of British Columbia on June 22. On June 28, Horgan introduced a no-confidence motion as an amendment to the Speech from the Throne . With both the NDP and the BC Greens, who held 41 seats and 3 seats respectively, voting for the amendment, it was passed on a 44–42 vote. The passage of
882-647: A few chaotic months of government with frequent cabinet shuffles following a police raid on Clark's home before he stepped down as premier. In 2002, Clark was acquitted of all charges in the Pilarinos case. Pilarinos himself was convicted on six charges and acquitted on three charges. Dan Miller , the longest-serving member of the legislature, stepped in as premier and interim party leader during an acrimonious leadership race between Dosanjh, maverick West Kootenay MLA Corky Evans , and Wilson (who had been persuaded to fold his Progressive Democratic Alliance party into
1008-480: A government than even the NDP had predicted, winning 33 seats to Campbell's 45 and receiving a vote share 5 percent higher in suburban Vancouver than any pollster had predicted. The NDP also exceeded 40 percent of the vote for the first time since 1991. In 2008, the NDP won two key by-elections in Vancouver-Fairview and Vancouver-Burrard. In the 2009 provincial election , the NDP came a close second to
1134-579: A government, and new elections were called. In the 1953 election , Bennett won a majority government, and both the Liberal and the Conservative parties were reduced to fringe parties. Throughout the 1950s, Bennett's new electoral movement was able to keep the CCF at bay. This period coincided with the height of the Cold War , and Bennett effectively used the scare tactic of the " Red Menace " against
1260-487: A government. On July 18, Horgan was sworn in as British Columbia's 36th premier, and first NDP premier in 16 years. The NDP formed a minority government , the first time the NDP has had such a government in provincial history. On September 21, 2020, after only three years in government, Horgan called a snap election . The election call drew criticism, as it violated the agreement with the Green Party, and came during
1386-499: A half years, winning two back-to-back general elections in 1991 and 1996 before being defeated in 2001. Although the party's majority was reduced in 1996, it triumphed over the divided remnants of the Social Credit Party. In 1991, due in part to Social Credit's scandals under Premier William Vander Zalm and in part to the stellar performance of British Columbia Liberal Party (BC Liberals) leader Gordon Wilson in debate,
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#17327650569321512-687: A hard line against an aboriginal group's occupation of a farmer's field in the Cariboo region of the province. In what became known as the Gustafsen Lake standoff , Dosanjh led the largest-scale police operation in British Columbia history as the government tried to regain control. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) used armoured vehicles provided by the Canadian military for protection. The military strongly rejected attempts by
1638-712: A legislative assistant to James Manly and later to Lynn Hunter . Horgan returned to Victoria in 1991 and became ministerial assistant to Dave Zirnhelt . In 1993, he was named analyst in the Policy Coordination Branch of the Ministry of Government Services, and in 1996, director at the Cabinet Policy and Communications Secretariat, Ministry of Finance and Corporate Relations. His positions from 1991 through 1998 saw him assume increasing responsibilities within government, including lead negotiator on
1764-561: A market-driven approach to creating a liquefied natural gas industry, in contrast to the BC Liberal approach, at the time, of presenting expressions of interest as committed future revenue. The NDP were favoured to win the general election but, while Horgan won his riding, the party again formed the Official Opposition with Horgan returning to his role as critic for the energy portfolio in the 40th Parliament . Shortly after
1890-609: A new leader had been chosen. The election for his successor was scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2022. David Eby was acclaimed as Horgan's successor on October 21, 2022, after the disqualification of the only other candidate, Anjali Appadurai , from the leadership contest. The 2024 British Columbia general election on October 19, 2024, had a narrow result. All but 3 NDP cabinet ministers were re-elected. "†" denotes acting or interim leader. Results shown are for CCF from 1933 to 1960, NDP since 1963. John Horgan John Joseph Horgan (August 7, 1959 – November 12, 2024)
2016-548: A notably social democratic policy agenda, which included increases in welfare spending and rates. In 1993, his government took a dramatic turn to the right with his televised address in which he lashed out against "welfare cheats, deadbeats and varmints". Broadcast province-wide, his speech inaugurated a set of welfare reforms enacted between 1993 and 1995; these were similar to those adopted by new Progressive Conservative provincial governments elected in Alberta and Ontario in
2142-451: A protracted conflict with elements of the province's environmental movement. Harcourt's "Peace in the Woods" pact, which brought together traditionally warring environmental groups and forest workers' unions, began to collapse when Harcourt's cabinet exempted an environmentally sensitive area of Vancouver Island, Clayoquot Sound , from its province-wide mediation process for land-use conflicts,
2268-685: A pulp mill in Ocean Falls . Horgan met his wife Ellie Horgan in 1979 while studying at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario . They have two sons together. In 1983, Horgan earned a Bachelor of Arts from Trent. He waited tables at the Keg in Victoria before earning his master's degree in history from the University of Sydney in 1986. Returning to Canada he went to Ottawa and worked as
2394-401: A restaurant needed to produce alcohol, since food and beverage service is permitted in the ALR if the farm produces an alcohol product. British Columbia New Democratic Party The New Democratic Party of British Columbia ( BC NDP ) is a social democratic political party in British Columbia , Canada. The party sits on the centre-left of the political spectrum and is one of
2520-649: A then-high in popular support in the 1979 election with 46 percent of the vote. And after a minor decline in the party's vote share in 1983, Barrett retired as leader. Riding high in the polls, the NDP appeared poised to win the 1986 election against the unpopular Social Credit government, but its new leader Bob Skelly stumbled in a verbal gaffe during the campaign, and the Socreds' new leader William Vander Zalm attracted votes with his charisma and telegenic performance. The party failed to score its anticipated breakthrough. The New Democratic Party governed BC for nine and
2646-628: A total floor area of 90 m or less (186 m on a property 40 hectares or larger), if permitted by local government bylaw. Further, a secondary suite could be located in the principal residence. Also, the requirement was removed that additional residences must be used by the landowner or immediate family members. As before, the ALC could approve additional residences if they were for farm use. A 2016 an investigative report by The Globe and Mail newspaper found that as prices of suburban farm properties soared in tandem with Vancouver's residential real estate market,
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#17327650569322772-523: A utility to offer a 'lifeline rate' to low-income households, the Speculator Tracking and Housing Affordability Fund Act, 2016 (Bill M-209) that would have allowed participating jurisdictions that levy a 2% property tax on residential properties held vacant for use in affordable housing initiatives, and Campaign Finance Reform Act, 2016 (Bill M-213) that would ban corporations and unions from making financial political contributions and require
2898-408: A way "inconsistent with the principle of responsible and prudent fiscal planning" when drawing up the projected revenue numbers. During these years, the NDP began to lose support and activists to the BC Greens, who reached 5 percent in the polls in the fourth quarter of 1997 and 11 percent by the fall of 1998. But most voters who left the NDP ultimately shifted to the Liberals, which was evident from
3024-508: A week 15 MLAs endorsed him. In early April, with Horgan receiving further endorsements from Dawn Black , Joe Trasolini and Fin Donnelly – all figures from Farnworth's Tri-Cities -area, Farnworth withdrew from the leadership race, leaving Horgan the sole candidate. After the deadline for nominations passed on May 1, Horgan was acclaimed leader of the BC NDP and became the leader of
3150-499: Is "essentially lost" when someone buys ALR land and builds "a 10,000-square-foot mansion plus tennis court, pool and outbuildings". Also, while land-use bylaws do not allow hotels on agricultural land, there were reports of large buildings being constructed in Richmond that were essentially private luxury hotels. In response, in 2018 the provincial government introduced a 500 square metre (approximately 5400 square foot) size limit for
3276-628: Is administered by the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), which consists of a board of directors of 11 to 19 members appointed by the Minister of Agriculture and Food. Restrictive land zoning is used to protect agricultural land, and ALC zoning decisions take precedence over land-use bylaws of local governments. The ALC makes decisions chiefly on land removal (exclusion) or addition (inclusion); subdivision; and non-farm land use. Decisions are based on how an application supports
3402-569: Is assessed based on the market value of the land taking into account its "highest and best use" and comparable rural property values. A property's highest and best use is constrained by ALR land use and subdivision restrictions. Therefore, land within the ALR typically has a lower value, even when zoned Residential, Commercial, or Industrial. A study for Metro Vancouver found that for a 5-acre property assessed as Residential in Langley (that does not have "farm status") which pays $ 13,656 in property tax,
3528-464: Is located above a thousand metres in elevation, and the province's mountainous geography means a relatively small share of its land has an agricultural capability. Approximately 46% of ALR land is under private ownership, and 54% is under public land ownership (provincial, municipal, or federal government). Before 1973, an estimated 4000 to 6000 hectares of prime agricultural land was lost each year to urbanization in British Columbia. Recognition that
3654-479: Is suitable only for perennial forage crops or natural grazing, while Class 7 land has no agricultural capability.) Starting with CLI maps, and obtaining input from local governments and public hearings, the ALC identified 4.7 million hectares to be included in the ALR. There was awareness early on that within some areas (portions of Vancouver Island, for example) the CLI information could be improved. Between 1980 and 1984,
3780-529: The 1937 election but failed to win a seat. The CCF regained their former contingent of seven MLAs but lost official opposition status to the reconstituted British Columbia Conservative Party . Harold Winch succeeded Connell as CCF leader and guided the party until the 1950s. The two-party system in Canada was challenged by the rise of the CCF and the Social Credit movement in western Canada during
3906-437: The 1975 election . The party returned to office in 1991 and governed until 2001 under a succession of leaders. The NDP lost the 2001 election in a landslide and remained in opposition until the 2017 election , when it formed a minority government under John Horgan . In 2020 election , the party was re-elected with a majority government . In 2022, following health concerns, Horgan stepped down as party leader and premier and
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4032-490: The 2005 provincial election was approaching, the 45-year-old Horgan won the NDP nomination against Julie Thomas of Shawnigan Lake in the riding of Malahat-Juan de Fuca . The incumbent MLA Brian Kerr was not seeking re-election, so in the general election Horgan faced BC Liberal Cathy Basskin of Cowichan Bay , Democratic Reform BC party leader Tom Morino, Green Party candidate Steven Hurdle, and Western Canada Concept candidate Pattie O'Brien. Though Horgan won his riding,
4158-521: The 2013 election Horgan again won the Juan de Fuca riding, this time against BC Liberal candidate and Sooke councillor Kerrie Reay and Green Party candidate Carlos Serra. On the local level, his campaign focused on transportation issues and regional growth while on the provincial campaign he promised a comprehensive review of BC Hydro, in particular its debt load, commitments to independent power producers, and future infrastructure requirements, and advocated
4284-652: The Columbia Basin Trust and as a participant on teams for the Columbia River Treaty and Land Use Plans. In 1998, he worked as a director in the Crown Corporations Secretariat before going on to work at Columbia Power as director of Corporate Affairs, focusing on getting Keenleyside and Brilliant dams repowered. In 1999, he was appointed chief of staff in the office of Premier Dan Miller . His last job in government
4410-575: The Great Depression of the 1930s. The CCF first took power in 1944 in Saskatchewan under Premier Tommy Douglas . It also began to gain wider political support in British Columbia. In order to block the rise of the CCF in BC, the provincial Liberal and Conservative parties formed a coalition government after the 1941 provincial election . That year neither party had enough seats to form
4536-560: The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia and the Agricultural Land Reserve . A Question Period was added to the legislative process. The NDP drove the small BC Liberal caucus to abandon their leader David Anderson for the Social Credit Party, as did one of the two Tories elected in 1972. The NDP introduced capital taxes and slashed funding to universities. It suffered for bringing clarity to
4662-631: The Langford-Juan de Fuca riding. His opponents included BC Liberal candidate Cathy Noel, BC Green candidate Brendan Ralfs, as well as Scott Burton of the BC Libertarian Party and Willie Nelson of the newly formed Vancouver Island Party . In his capacity as party leader, Horgan spent much of the campaign travelling the province endorsing local candidates. He engaged in debates with the BC Liberal and BC Green leaders, namely Christy Clark and Andrew Weaver . Despite initially leading in
4788-531: The fast ferry scandal , ultimately costing the province $ 454 million when the government sold them for scrap. Technical issues with the ferries included their inability to operate at all if wave heights exceeded 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) and their reduced motor vehicle carrying capacity compared to traditional ferries. By mid-1999, an obvious rift had appeared in the administration as Attorney General Dosanjh and Finance Minister Joy MacPhail challenged Clark's legitimacy. The party and province endured
4914-766: The official opposition . A further merger with the British Columbia SPC took place in 1935. In 1936, the party split as its moderate leader, Reverend Robert Connell , was expelled over doctrinal differences in what was called the "Connell Affair". Three other CCF members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in what had been a seven-member caucus quit and joined Connell in forming the Social Constructive Party , leaving only Harold Winch , Ernest Winch and Dorothy Steeves as CCF MLAs. The Constructivists nominated candidates in
5040-414: The 1960s through four successive general elections. Each time, Bennett used the "Red Menace" tactic as a wedge issue against the NDP and its leaders: Robert Strachan and, in the 1969 general election , Thomas Berger . The NDP first won election in 1972 under Dave Barrett , who served as premier for three years. The NDP passed a considerable amount of legislation in a short time, including establishing
5166-484: The 1996 election far back in the polls but proved an excellent campaigner. For the duration of the election, he re-unified the party's traditional coalition, using the slogan "On Your Side". He effectively portrayed the Liberals' new leader, former Vancouver mayor Gordon Campbell , as a pawn of big business and a dangerous right-wing extremist. Clark, for example, pointed to Campbell's promise to privatize BC Rail as an example of Campbell's pro big business policies. Clark
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5292-472: The 2017 election. In accordance with provincial constitutional practice, Austin granted the request, setting an election for October 24 . It was the first snap election in the province since 1986. Horgan led the BC NDP to a decisive victory with 57 seats—the most the party had ever won in a provincial election, and the first time since 1996 that the NDP had won government in its own right. Several campaign issues were focused on, including whether or not to end
5418-563: The 38th Parliament. Horgan was acclaimed as the NDP candidate for the 2009 election in the Juan de Fuca riding. He defeated Colwood mayor Jody Twa of the BC Liberals and Metchosin farmer James Powell of the Green Party. In the 39th Parliament , the NDP again formed the Official Opposition to the BC Liberals, who formed their third consecutive majority government. Party leader Carole James kept Horgan as Energy and Mines critic. Horgan
5544-521: The ALC's Zone 2 land-use decision factors were broadened to include economic, cultural and social values. On November 20, 2018, NDP Premier John Horgan reversed the Zone 2 split, returning the ALR to a single zone under the original criteria. As of September 2020, private landowners could no longer apply directly to the ALC for the removal of their land from the ALR. Although private landowners may ask their local government for such removal, they must rely on
5670-434: The ALC's mandate "to preserve agricultural land" and "to encourage farming on agricultural land". The primary role of the ALC was to preserve agricultural land, but the original legislation also gave the ALC responsibility for establishing green belt, land bank, and park land reserves. This responsibility was removed in 1977. (The ALC had to purchase (or otherwise acquire) these lands before designation. By contrast, land in
5796-601: The ALR could be determined without purchase using traditional zoning tools.) In 1988 golf courses became a permitted land use, but after 1992 they once again required approval. On May 29, 2014, the BC Liberal government of Christy Clark split the ALR into two zones: Zone 1 (Island, Okanagan, South Coast) and Zone 2 (North, Kootenay, Interior). The ALR regulations were viewed as a burden to farmers who owned agricultural land of poor capability. To give owners in Zone 2 more flexibility to earn non-farm income from their land,
5922-486: The ALR to provide agriculture-related economic opportunities for farmers. A 2020 report prepared for the BC government recommended setting aside up to a maximum of one quarter of one percent of the province's ALR land to create a new category of agricultural-industrial farmland. To counter concerns about allowing structures on arable farmland, converted land would be of low soil quality, ill-suited for farming ( CLI Classes 4-7). In 2022, ALR regulations were amended to promote
6048-410: The ALR, and questions of equity among taxpayers have emerged. The ALR covers 4.6 million hectares (11.4 million acres). It comprises 4.9% of BC's 94.6 million hectare land base. Less than a quarter of the land in the ALR is prime agricultural land (1.1% of BC's land area), where prime agricultural land falls into Canada Land Inventory (CLI) survey Classes 1-3. About three quarters of BC's total land
6174-528: The Assembly, former Social Credit cabinet minister-turned BC Liberal Claude Richmond , recognized MacPhail as leader of the Opposition . Ultimately, Richmond's position gradually won out, and he was able to ensure that the remains of the NDP were provided the resources of an official party. Given the high level of support within the party for her leadership, MacPhail surprised many by choosing not to seek
6300-601: The BC Benefits package of cutbacks and restrictions in social assistance eligibility was bundled with a childcare bonus paid to low- and medium-income families. The changes were unpopular with the province's anti-poverty movement and the BC Green Party ; they were condemned by a motion at the NDP's 1997 convention. Three months before BC Benefits was introduced by the Harcourt government, his government came into
6426-737: The BC Employment Standards Act (ESA). This made BC the first province in Canada to implement legislation requiring employers to provide employees with paid sick leave and was part of the province's response to the COVID-19 pandemic . On June 28, 2022, Horgan announced that he would be stepping down as premier and NDP party leader once a new leader had been chosen to replace him due to health reasons. He had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2021. On February 9, 2023, Horgan announced that he would resign as an MLA that March and retire from politics. The by-election to replace him
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#17327650569326552-583: The BC Liberals attempt to privatize electricity generation in BC) which was subsequently overturned by the Utilities Commission as being not in the public interest . The Ethics Commissioner cleared Campbell of wrongdoing but made a recommendation that cabinet ministers and other senior officials place their assets in blind trusts. Horgan subsequently introduced this recommendation as the private member bill Members' Conflict of Interest Amendment Act in
6678-477: The CCF from winning in a three-party competition, but they did not realize that a new fourth party was on the rise: the BC Social Credit League . In the 1952 election , the Liberals and Conservatives were decimated. The Social Credit League was the main beneficiary of the new voting system: many non-CCF voters chose Social Credit as either their first or second choices. Social Credit emerged as
6804-617: The CCF, referring to them as the " socialist hordes". In 1960, the CCF joined with the Canadian Labour Congress nationally to create the New Party , which then in 1961 became the " New Democratic Party " (NDP). This reflected the formation of the national party from an alliance of the CCF and unions in the Canadian Labour Congress . Bennett managed to keep the CCF and the NDP out of power throughout
6930-477: The Commission conducted a thorough review of ALR zoning boundaries, using new maps and soil information. Eastern Vancouver Island was given special attention. Enough land was excluded from the ALR to allow for about 5 years of urban growth. Federal government land was included in the ALR if its biophysical characteristics warranted inclusion, but ALR regulations do not apply to federal government land. The ALR
7056-616: The Commission on Resources and the Environment (CORE). First Nations peoples led protests, including logging road blockades, which resulted in the arrests of more than 800 people. Some key environmental leaders, such as David Suzuki and Colleen McCrory , became alienated from the NDP and shifted their support to the Green Party in the 1996 provincial election. Although low in the polls for much of his term in office, Harcourt and his newly appointed attorney general , Ujjal Dosanjh , succeeded in regaining substantial public support by taking
7182-531: The Dosanjh government attempted to capitalize on the new premier's high personal approval rating with their remaining year in power. The government made a number of concessions to the party's anti-poverty and environmental wings in an attempt to reforge the coalition but the party would not budge in the polls. Dosanjh waited as long as possible to call the next election , finally doing so in April 2001. By this time,
7308-520: The German president on December 8. He served in the position until his death from cancer in November 2024. Horgan was born on August 7, 1959, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, the son of Alice May (Clutterbuck) and Pat Horgan. His father's passing when he was just 18 months old left his mother to raise him and his three siblings. He worked multiple jobs to save money for university, including at
7434-769: The Great Depression, as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (British Columbia Section) — allied to the national CCF — by a coalition of the Socialist Party of Canada (SPC), the League for Social Reconstruction , and affiliated organizations. In August 1933, the latter two organizations merged to become the Associated CCF Clubs. The new party won seven seats in the 1933 provincial election , enough to form
7560-422: The Liberals gained four seats, while the NDP lost two, in an election that returned the Liberal government under Premier Christy Clark . In September 2013, Dix announced his intention to resign as party leader once a leadership election was held. Following Dix's resignation, John Horgan , MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca , was acclaimed as party leader in the 2014 party leadership election and subsequently became
7686-450: The Liberals, with 42 percent of the popular vote and the Liberals receiving 45 percent. 35 New Democrats and 49 Liberals were elected. Despite the popular vote, only 3,500 votes separated the party from forming government. The NDP under Adrian Dix was widely expected to win the May 2013 provincial election as the NDP enjoyed a 20-point lead in the polls prior to the election campaign. However,
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#17327650569327812-413: The Ministry of Management Services in the 1990s, overseeing the expansion of gambling across the province. IdeaWorks was credited with developing a sophisticated campaign in 2003 by which they were successful in convincing Vancouver City Council to lift a moratorium on slot machines. In 2008, Horgan was diagnosed with bladder cancer ; he was eventually declared cancer free after surgery and treatment. As
7938-464: The NDP and join Glen Clark's cabinet in 1999). Despite clear favouritism from Clark, Wilson dropped out of the race less than one hour before the delegates voted due to a lack of support, throwing his support behind Evans. The final vote tally was 769 votes for Dosanjh and 549 votes for Evans, hence Dosanjh became party leader and the next premier. Having bottomed out at 15 percent in the polls,
8064-468: The NDP under Carole James 's leadership formed the Official Opposition to the BC Liberals who formed a majority government. Horgan was named to the NDP front bench as its education critic. He criticized the government's 2005 Teachers' Collective Agreement Act which legislated teachers into a new contract (which was later overturned after 11 years of litigation by the Supreme Court of Canada on
8190-440: The NDP would not have chosen to start the project. By January 1, 2020, Horgan fulfilled a campaign promise to eliminate monthly medical service plan fees for individuals. The fee revenue was replaced with a payroll tax , paid solely by employers, not exceeding 1.95 percent of an employer's total remuneration (with an exemption for employers whose total remuneration does not exceed $ 500,000, hence exempting many small businesses from
8316-449: The NDP, and 16.84% for the Greens. The Liberals won the popular vote by a razor-thin margin of just 1,566 votes province-wide. Following the election, which resulted in a hung parliament , the Greens entered into negotiations with both the Liberals and NDP to decide which party they should support in the minority parliament. On May 29, Horgan and Green leader Andrew Weaver announced that the Greens would support an NDP minority government in
8442-546: The Opposition . He appointed Farnsworth as opposition house leader, with Mungall as his deputy and critic of social development, and split his old position of critic position into three parts divided between Norm Macdonald as critic of energy and mines, Bruce Ralston on natural gas, Dix on BC Hydro, as well as charging the younger MLAs with significant portfolios, like Rob Fleming with education, Spencer Chandra Herbert with environment, and David Eby with eight specific critic responsibilities. Just prior to becoming leader,
8568-457: The RCMP to have them take over control of the situation, and ultimately it remained a police operation. The RCMP used anti-vehicle mines and shot thousands of rounds of ammunition at protesters. With less than 72 hours before a planned election call, and with the NDP high in the polls for its hard line against welfare recipients and aboriginal and environmental radicals, the party's provincial office
8694-487: The accounting by Social Credit, and revealing that BC was significantly in debt. In the 1975 election , the Social Credit party, under W. A. C. Bennett's son Bill Bennett , won a snap election called by Barrett. The Barrett government had initiated a number of reforms in the areas of labour relations , the public service, and social programs. Most of these endured until the restraint budget of 1983. The NDP hit
8820-589: The agricultural-technology industry by allowing crops grown on vertically-stacked shelves. The change aimed to cut energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, improve farm efficiency, and help with labour shortages. Thousands of farmers protested the creation of the ALR, because they opposed the restrictions the ALR imposes on what landowners can do with their own land. The restrictions interfere with their private property rights , and thereby reduce land values. Forty years later, support among farmers and ranchers became more widespread, though not unqualified, according to
8946-548: The basis of violating the Canadian Constitution ), after several months of unsuccessful collective bargaining, as "[inflaming] an already volatile situation". In June 2006, Horgan was named energy and mines critic. Horgan called for the BC Oil and Gas Commission to provide more transparent reporting after it was reported that its annual 97 percent compliance rating was near-perfect, despite 2,500 known infractions,
9072-432: The campaign. The NDP's popular vote dropped to 22 percent, while its seat count dropped to only two – MacPhail and neighbouring Vancouver-Mount Pleasant MLA Jenny Kwan . They were also the only surviving members of the previous Cabinet; even Dosanjh lost his seat. All 77 other seats were captured by the Liberals who won 58 percent of the vote. It was the second-worst defeat of a sitting provincial government in Canada. Despite
9198-520: The chief electoral officer review and provide recommendations regarding the financing of the political process. In the sixth session, Horgan introduced the Get Big Money Out of Politics Act, 2017 which would ban union and corporate donations to political campaigns, prohibit political contributions from foreigners, and prohibit the premier and ministers from receiving second salaries. In the 2017 general election , Horgan sought re-election in
9324-415: The collapse of the Social Credit party, with 9.29% and 5.74% of the popular vote going to the right wing Reform party and centrist Progressive Democrat parties respectively. This is possible because BC uses a first past the post electoral system . Following the campaign, Clark's government struggled to exert leadership; the premier's scrappy style began to further alienate parts of the NDP coalition outside
9450-476: The core group of labour activists who helped to run Clark's campaign. Shortly after the election, it was discovered that the 1995–96 and 1996–97 fiscal years did not have the balanced budgets on which Clark had campaigned but small deficits of approximately $ 100 million. This became a political scandal following a report by the BC Auditor General, which stated that the finance minister acted in
9576-536: The criticism. Following her resignation, the 51-year-old Horgan put himself forward as a leadership candidate for the NDP. He campaigned on policy platforms including a comprehensive review of taxation under a Fair Tax Commission, expanding the carbon tax to include the exempted large industrial emitters, getting the Evergreen Line and light rail to the Western Communities built, implementing
9702-486: The election, Horgan and Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett exchanged op-eds regarding new BC Hydro rate increases and cost overruns in the Northwest Transmission line project. In September 2013, Dix announced his resignation as NDP leader and both Horgan and Farnsworth were immediately considered front-runners to replace him. A month later Horgan stated his intention not to run and encouraged
9828-430: The executive director of the B.C. Agriculture Council. In 2017, a Richmond city councillor said he did not want "big houses on small farms." So-called "monster homes" were being built on Richmond's ALR land, where the average house size surged to 12,087 square feet in 2015, compared with 7,329 in 2010. Former ALR Chairman Frank Leonard said "monster" houses are a huge problem in some areas such as Richmond, since farm land
9954-576: The exemption of BC Utilities Commission review of major public projects (including the smart meter implementation program) to increases in BC Hydro rates. Horgan responded to the government's energy plan with an editorial to which Minister Blair Lekstrom responded. Horgan presented to the legislature a declaration of opposition to the Site C project, as signed by Peace River area residents and First Nations. During criticism of party leader Carole James, Horgan remained loyal by refusing to join in
10080-482: The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic ; journalists noted that Horgan and the NDP had been doing well in the polls at the time. In the 2020 election , the NDP won a majority government , securing a record 57 seats and receiving 47.7% of the overall popular vote — both record highs for the party. After five years of being premier, Horgan announced in June 2022 that he would step down as party leader and as premier once
10206-404: The full-time leadership in 2003 . The low-key leadership campaign was contested by establishment favourite and former Victoria School Board chair Carole James , Oak Bay City Councillor Nils Jensen, former MLAs Leonard Krog and Steve Orcherton , and a few minor candidates. First ballot results had James first followed by Jensen, Krog, and Orcherton. James won on the second ballot. In late 2004,
10332-453: The growth was malignant. He said that he would require radiation treatment, and that he anticipated "a full recovery". He also said he planned to continue on as premier, and that he would take part in meetings virtually, but that Farnworth or other ministers might attend in-person at events on his behalf. From January 1, 2022, onwards, legislation introduced in 2021 required a minimum of five paid sick days per year for all employee's covered by
10458-456: The largest party, with one seat more than Winch's CCF. The Social Credit party chose a new leader, W. A. C. Bennett . When Social Credit lost a motion of no confidence in the legislature in March 1953, Winch argued that the CCF should be allowed to try to form a government rather than the house being dissolved for an early election. The Liberals, however, refused to support the CCF's bid to form
10584-413: The leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. In the lead-up to the May 2017 provincial election , the NDP under Horgan occasionally led the Liberals in polls. The May 9 election returned 43 Liberal MLAs, 41 NDP MLAs and a record 3 Green MLAs. This was one of the closest elections in BC's history, exemplified by the popular vote breakdown: 40.36% for the Liberals, 40.28% for
10710-427: The legislature was recalled, Clark sought its confidence in the Liberal government. Following a non-confidence motion on June 29, 2017, which was won (44–42) by the combined votes of the NDP and Green members, Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon turned down Clark's request for a snap election and invited the NDP to form a minority government. Subsequently, Horgan succeeded Clark as the premier of British Columbia. Horgan
10836-567: The local government to make the removal application. Whether or not their land is used for farming, there is a 50% tax exemption to ALR land owners for school, hospital, and other property taxes (for example, TransLink taxes in Metro Vancouver). A Kwantlen Polytechnic University study notes this tax exemption encourages ownership but not farming of ALR land. A study of the Greater Vancouver area (Metro Vancouver) finds
10962-470: The longest serving BC NDP premier in the province's history. On June 28, 2022, Horgan announced that he would be stepping down as premier and NDP leader once a new leader had been chosen. Horgan was succeeded by David Eby on November 18, 2022. On November 1, 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Horgan would be appointed Canada's ambassador to Germany. Horgan presented his credentials to
11088-401: The main beneficiaries of the exemption are properties in the ALR classified as "Residential". Since these properties are not used for farming, the study recommends removal of the exemption so as to maintain equity across residential land owners inside and outside of the ALR. Property tax tends to be lower on land located within the ALR, even if the land is not farmed. This is because a property
11214-882: The majority of which were rated major or serious. Following a sudden sharp increase in gasoline prices in early 2007, Horgan introduced the Retail Petroleum Consumer Protection Act as a private member bill which, if passed, would have put gasoline prices under the jurisdiction of the BC Utilities Commission , the same as electricity and natural gas. The bill was supported by an 18,000-signature petition and elicited editorial responses from Minister Neufeld and Christy Clark. In January 2007, Horgan accused Premier Gordon Campbell of conflict-of-interest due to his owning of shares of Alcan while signing an order-in-council approving an agreement between Alcan and BC Hydro (part of
11340-603: The monopoly on car insurance held by the province's public insurer ICBC or to switch to a no-fault model. On March 3, 2021, Horgan introduced Bill 9, the Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act 2021 , a piece of legislation that regulated municipal elections in the province with regard to campaign financing and spending. It required all elector organizations (local municipal parties) to register and publish financial statements (including campaign financing and spending) with Elections BC . The bill
11466-658: The no-confidence motion marked the first time that a BC government has been defeated in the legislature. Clark then asked Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon to dissolve parliament and call a new election, despite having previously stated that she would not make such a request and would resign as premier if her party lost a no-confidence vote. She argued that the NDP could not provide stable government because it needed to appoint one of its members as Speaker , and that person would have to frequently use their casting vote to break 43–43 ties. Guichon rejected this argument and instead invited Horgan to form government. The Horgan ministry
11592-405: The old Social Credit vote split between the BC Liberals, which garnered 33 percent of the vote, and the Social Credit Party with 25 percent. The NDP, under the leadership of former Vancouver mayor Mike Harcourt , won with 41 percent of the popular vote, which was one percentage point lower than the share the party had lost with in 1986. Harcourt's first two years in government were characterized by
11718-616: The parliament must convene in the Spring and Fall of each year. After he became leader, these two bills were re-introduced by NDP critic on democratic reform Gary Holman in the fourth session (2015). As leader, Horgan introduced three bills, all in the fifth session: the Hydro Affordability Act, 2016 (Bill M-206) Archived May 22, 2019, at the Wayback Machine that would allow the Utilities Commission to require
11844-561: The parliament's second session, Horgan introduced two private member bills, the Standing Committee Reform Act, 2014 (Bill M-203) that would have expanded the scope of their terms of reference and required they be appointed at the beginning of each parliament with membership in proportion to party standings, and the Parliamentary Calendar Act, 2014 (Bill M-204) that would have legislated that
11970-407: The party had risen to 21 percent in opinion polling – a slight improvement from the nadir of a year earlier. Nonetheless, it became obvious that the NDP would not be re-elected. Midway through the campaign, Dosanjh conceded defeat in a pre-recorded message and asked the electorate to give the NDP a chance as a strong opposition party. De facto leadership passed to MacPhail, who managed to reinvigorate
12096-510: The party won an upset election victory in the constituency of Surrey-Panorama Ridge . Jagrup Brar became the third member of the party's caucus, winning a riding that had supported the NDP in 1991 before falling to the Liberals in 1996. Brar beat a locally popular BC Liberal candidate and Adriane Carr , the BC Green Party's leader, winning an absolute majority of the vote. In the 2005 provincial election , James came closer to forming
12222-494: The polling leading up to the 2001 BC election. New scandals surfaced. Clark allegedly used his influence to win a casino licence for a neighbour, Dimitrios Pilarinos, who had helped him with some home renovations. Construction of the PacifiCat BC Ferries suffered cost over-runs and poor technical decisions. The new ferries were intended to speed transportation between Vancouver and Nanaimo but became part of
12348-409: The polls, his party ultimately secured only 41 seats, relegating them to the role of the Official Opposition, while the BC Liberals and BC Green Party won 43 and 3 seats respectively. Horgan and Weaver, however, struck a confidence-and-supply agreement (which both parties' caucuses endorsed), giving the NDP-Green coalition one more seat than the Liberals. Clark however did not resign, arguing she had
12474-471: The position on May 1, 2014, and was officially inaugurated as party leader on May 5, 2014. In the 2017 provincial election held on May 9, 2017, Premier Christy Clark 's BC Liberal government was reduced to 43 seats, one seat short of a majority. On May 29, 2017, it was announced that the NDP and Green Party of British Columbia had reached a confidence and supply agreement in which the Greens would support an NDP minority government for four years. After
12600-444: The primary residence built on the ALR. The B.C. Farmland Owners Association opposed the law saying the government did not consult them adequately, and that a limit of 500 square meters would not allow enough space for what are often family-owned businesses. Restrictions were later eased so that, effective 31 December 2021, as well as a principal residence with floor area of 500 m or less, property owners were allowed one residence with
12726-718: The province had limited arable farmland, and a concern for food security, led the provincial government to introduce the Land Commission Act on 18 April 1973 which created the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) and established the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). The boundaries of the ALR are based on the natural characteristics of the land and its climate. All land in Classes 1 to 4 from the Canada Land Inventory (CLI) survey that
12852-407: The province's new 15% tax on real estate purchased by foreign buyers. The tax applies only to the selling price of the farmhouse, while the ALR land purchase is tax-free. There has been criticism of inconsistency in how farm policies are applied, in terms of special treatment for producers of wine and other alcohol products. In one instance, a farmer who wanted to serve the produce of their farm in
12978-474: The race. Opinion polling placed Horgan third behind Adrian Dix and Mike Farnworth , but being seen as a suitable compromise candidate between the party's preferred stronger candidate of Dix and the more likable Farnworth. Dix went on to win and assigned Horgan back to the role of critic for the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources which Doug Donaldson had overseen during the leadership election, as well as adding house leader to his duties. In
13104-557: The recommendations of the Select Standing Committee on Aquaculture, continuing the ban on North Coast tanker traffic and offshore oil exploration, and introducing an Endangered Species Act. He was endorsed by Robin Austin , Gary Coons , Kathy Corrigan , Scott Fraser , Maurine Karagianis , Bill Routley , Shane Simpson , and Claire Trevena , as well as Harry Lali and Nicholas Simons after they dropped out of
13230-535: The same time period. The cutbacks were, in part, a reaction to a dramatic reduction in federal transfer payments by the federal Liberal government of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien . Parliament had repealed the Canada Assistance Plan bill of rights, which had included a right to food and a right to shelter. Unlike the reforms of the Harris and Klein governments in the other two provinces noted,
13356-457: The severe defeat, MacPhail was credited for saving the party from being completely wiped off the electoral map. Shortly after the election, Dosanjh resigned as leader and MacPhail was appointed interim leader. MacPhail and Kwan were initially not granted official party status by Campbell on the grounds that the legislature's rules stipulated a party must hold four seats. However, the Speaker of
13482-407: The tax advantages of ALR property increased. The study found significant differences between market prices and the provincial assessments for 122 properties examined. In one example, a property located on the ALR paid about $ 5,300 in property tax while a residential property in the same municipality with the same market value would pay roughly $ 77,000. The story also noted a tax break associated with
13608-424: The tax). Elections in British Columbia must be held at least every four years, but the lieutenant governor has the right to dissolve Parliament early (in practice only ever on the advice of the premier). On September 21, 2020, Horgan asked Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin for an early election, ending the NDP-Green confidence and supply agreement that had allowed the NDP-Green coalition to form government following
13734-484: The third and fourth sessions and a similar but more comprehensive bill, in line with the Federal Accountability Act , but they were not advanced beyond first reading. In 2007, following a legislative amendment that immediately increased MLA salaries by 29%, Horgan, along with all other NDP MLAs, donated the increase to charities in his riding, such as hospices and food banks, for the remainder of
13860-650: The two major parties in British Columbia; since the 1990s, its rival was the centre-right BC United (formerly known as the BC Liberals) until the Conservative Party of British Columbia reconstituted itself for the 2024 British Columbia general election , with BC United withdrawing its candidates and endorsing the Conservatives. The party is formally affiliated with the federal New Democratic Party and serves as its provincial branch. The party
13986-517: The younger NDP MLAs, such as David Eby , Spencer Chandra Herbert and Rob Fleming , to enter the leadership race . However, by January 2014 only Mike Farnworth announced an intention to run. With Farnworth formally declaring his candidacy in early March 2014, Horgan was urged to re-consider. The 54-year old Horgan announced his candidacy on March 17 backed by Carole James , Maurine Karagianis and Bill Routley . David Eby and Michelle Mungall endorsed him and co-chaired his campaign and within
14112-499: Was BC's first NDP premier since Ujjal Dosanjh in 2001. On September 21, 2020, Horgan called a snap election that was held on October 24 . On November 8, with the final vote count completed, the NDP won a record 57 seats with the highest share of the popular vote in the party's history and formed a majority government for the first time since the 1996 general election . The election result made Horgan British Columbia's first two-term NDP premier. During his second term, Horgan became
14238-537: Was a Canadian politician and diplomat who served as the 36th premier of British Columbia (BC) from 2017 to 2022 and the Canadian ambassador to Germany from 2023 to 2024. He was elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in 2005, representing Langford-Juan de Fuca and its predecessors until 2023. Horgan served as leader of the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) from 2014 to 2022. Horgan
14364-608: Was aided by Jack Weisgerber , leader of the BC Reform Party (the name taken by the majority of the Social Credit caucus), and Wilson, by then leader of the Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA). Although the NDP won only 39 percent of the vote to Campbell's 42 percent, it secured 39 seats to Campbell's 33. This was partially explained by the vote splitting of the centre-right electorate following
14490-403: Was appointed the Official Opposition critic for Energy, and Opposition house leader. On March 17, 2014, he announced his candidacy in the 2014 leadership election , with the slogan "Real Leadership. For All BC". During the campaign he talked at length about the necessity of balancing the need for jobs and resource development, while protecting BC's natural environment. Horgan was acclaimed to
14616-482: Was at the level of associate deputy minister working in the Ministry of Finance on energy projects. Following the change of government in 2001, Horgan created a small business that focused on policy, management, research and government liaison work. He formed a consulting company called IdeaWorks, along with former deputy minister Nancy Thompson, former NDP caucus research director Mary O'Donoghue, and two former NDP bureaucrats—Ian Reid and John Heaney—with whom he worked in
14742-596: Was born and raised in Victoria, British Columbia . He attended Reynolds Secondary School in Saanich , before moving to Peterborough, Ontario , to attend Trent University , where he met his wife, Ellie, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1983. Horgan studied in Australia at the University of Sydney , earning a master's in history in 1986 before he returned to Canada to work in politics and public policy. Horgan
14868-545: Was critical of the government overturning the BC Utilities Commission's decision on obtaining electricity from independent power producers and exempting the Site C dam and the northwest transmission line projects from Utilities Commission review, arguing that the projects were not in the public interest. Horgan linked the government's imposition of private IPP electricity purchasing agreements on BC Hydro and
14994-685: Was duly sworn in on July 18, 2017. With Clark resigning her seat in August and Liberal MLA Darryl Plecas agreeing to take the Speaker's post in September (for which he was subsequently expelled from his party), along with the BC Green votes in confidence motions, Horgan was able to continue in office by one seat without requiring the speaker to cast a tie-breaking vote. The 41st Parliament would convene for five sessions of variable lengths between June 22, 2017, and September 21, 2020, before Horgan called
15120-485: Was elected to the BC Legislative Assembly in 2005. In June 2006, he was appointed the opposition critic for the energy and mines in NDP leader Carole James ' shadow cabinet , having previously served as the opposition critic for education. In January 2011, he announced his candidacy for leadership of the BC NDP in the 2011 leadership election , finishing third. Following the leadership election, he
15246-656: Was established in 1933 as the provincial wing of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation ; the party adopted the NDP name in 1961 as part of the national party's re-foundation. The CCF quickly established itself as a major party in BC: for all but five years between 1933 and 1972, the CCF/NDP was the Official Opposition to the Liberal , Conservative and Social Credit governments. The NDP won its first election in 1972 under leader Dave Barrett , who governed until being defeated in
15372-455: Was held on June 24, 2023, which saw the NDP candidate Ravi Parmar win with 53.35% of the vote. Horgan's resignation as an MLA took effect on March 31, 2023. Shortly afterwards, The Globe and Mail reported that he would join the board of Elk Valley Resources, a new subsidiary of Teck Resources that produces metallurgical coal , pending shareholder approval. However, Teck ultimately decided against splitting its coal and metal businesses and
15498-426: Was intended to improve transparency in municipal elections. The bill became law, coming into force for municipal elections on or after October 1, 2022. On October 28, 2021, it was announced that Horgan had discovered a growth in his throat that required surgery. As a result, he appointed Mike Farnworth as deputy premier. Horgan underwent "successful" surgery on October 29, 2021. Six days later, Horgan announced that
15624-420: Was not already developed was included in the ALR. (Prime agricultural land falls into CLI Classes 1-3, while Class 4 land is marginal for cultivated field crops.) Class 5 and 6 land was included if it could effectively be used in conjunction with Class 1 to 4 land, and Class 7 land was included if excluding it might allow undesirable intrusion of incompatible uses into agricultural areas. (Land in Classes 5 and 6
15750-462: Was raided by RCMP officers as part of an ongoing investigation of illegal use of charity bingo money by former provincial cabinet minister and MP Dave Stupich (for which Stupich was later convicted on two counts). Media called the scandal " Bingogate ". Although Harcourt was not implicated in either the raid or the probe, he resigned; he was later fully exonerated. The NDP was led into the 1996 provincial general election by Glen Clark . Clark entered
15876-406: Was succeeded by David Eby , who led the party to a slim majority victory in the 2024 election . Seven leaders of the NDP have served as premier of British Columbia : Dave Barrett , Mike Harcourt , Glen Clark , Dan Miller , Ujjal Dosanjh , John Horgan and David Eby . Since 2022, the party leader is David Eby, who is also premier of British Columbia . The party was formed in 1933, during
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