B.C.’s minority Liberals prepare throne speech as opposition plans their defeat
VICTORIA — The clock that counts down to the expected defeat of Premier Christy Clark’s minority government in British Columbia starts ticking Thursday with the introduction of a throne speech.
After that, the province watches for a confidence vote that is expected to lead to an NDP government propped up by the Green party.
But the prospect of defeat hasn’t deterred the Liberals from releasing details of the throne speech in advance, including major policy shifts on issues that weren’t featured by the party in last month’s election campaign, such as increasing monthly welfare rates by $100, spending $1 billion on early childhood education, and banning corporate and union donations to political parties.
Clark said Wednesday the Liberals heard from voters that social issues and political fundraising reforms are major concerns and the government is now prepared to act on them.