B.C. Green Leader Emily Lowan said Premier David Eby's threat of an early election if a bill to fast-track a multibillion-dollar northern power line fails is a "cheap trick" that would leave British Columbians "incredibly disgruntled" if it eventuates.
"This government has a majority," Lowan said on Thursday, referring to the NDP's one-seat buffer.
"There is no need to call an early election three years in advance."
She was speaking at a news conference with Green MLAs Rob Botterell and Jeremy Valeriote, who said Bill 31 will be among the "mix" of issues the party will consider when it comes to renewing an agreement that sees the Greens support the NDP government on certain issues.
Lowan said the Greens will meet with New Democrats in December to evaluate their Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord.
The new Green leader called Eby's recent election threat over the fate of the North Coast Transmission Line "a bit of a farce" and said the premier was "greedy for an unnecessary majority" three years ahead of the next scheduled election.
While Valeriote and Botterell have voted for Bill 31 to get it to committee stage for additional review, they say they cannot support its current form.
The NDP could be forced to call on Speaker Raj Chouhan to cast a tie-breaker on Bill 31, just as he did earlier this year on two other bills fast-tracking resource projects.
Eby said on Wednesday he would stake his government on the passage of the bill.
The last early election in B.C. was in October 2020, hoisting the NDP under late former premier John Horgan from a minority to a resounding majority.
Elections BC later pegged the cost of the early vote at $51.6 million.
The accord between the NDP and the Greens runs for four years, but is subject to annual review and renewal.
Lowan had called the news conference to reveal plans to raise more revenue through a "truly progressive tax system" that would charge higher taxes on the richest British Columbians and corporations.
"I think fair taxation will be the litmus test to this NDP government, and they must choose what side they are on, on the side of austerity and the oligarchs or the side of the working class."
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
