Legislature of British Columbia

Last updated

Parliament of British Columbia
43rd Parliament of British Columbia
Type
Type
Houses Legislative Assembly
Sovereign The lieutenant governor (representing the King of Canada)
History
FoundedJuly 20, 1871 (1871-07-20)
Preceded byGovernor-in-Council of the United Colony of British Columbia
Leadership
Charles III
September 8, 2022
Janet Austin
April 24, 2018
Raj Chouhan, New Democratic
December 7, 2020
David Eby, New Democratic
November 18, 2022
John Rustad, Conservative
November 12, 2024

The Parliament of British Columbia is made of two elements: the lieutenant governor (representing the King of Canada), and the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (which meets at the British Columbia Parliament Buildings). The Parliament of British Columbia has existed since the province joined Canada in 1871, before which it was preceded by the Parliament of the United Colony of British Columbia.

Contents

Like the Canadian federal government, British Columbia uses a Westminster-style parliamentary government, in which members are sent to the Legislative Assembly after general elections and from there the party with the most seats chooses a premier of British Columbia and the Executive Council of British Columbia. The premier is British Columbia's head of government, while the King of Canada is its head of state and is represented by the lieutenant governor. Before 1903, candidates in British Columbia elections were not affiliated with political parties.

List of parliaments

Following is a list of the 42 times the Parliament has been convened since 1871. This article only covers the time since 1871. For the governing body from 1867 to 1871, see Legislative Council of British Columbia.

Assembly
Sessions
ElectionOpening date [1] Dissolution dateGoverning party Premier [2] Official Opposition party
Leader [3]
Other official parties
Leader [4]
Speaker [5]
1st Parliament

4 sessions

1st general November 20, 1871August 30, 1875None [nb 1] John Foster McCreight [nb 2]

Amor De Cosmos [nb 3]
George Anthony Walkem

None [nb 4] None James Trimble
2nd Parliament

3 sessions

2nd general January 10, 1876April 12, 1878None George Anthony Walkem [nb 5]

Andrew Charles Elliott

NoneNone James Trimble
3rd Parliament

5 sessions

3rd general July 29, 1878June 13, 1882None George Anthony Walkem [nb 6]

Robert Beaven

NoneNone Frederick W. Williams
4th Parliament

4 sessions

4th general January 25, 1883June 3, 1886None Robert Beaven [nb 7]

William Smithe

NoneNone John Andrew Mara
5th Parliament

4 sessions

5th general January 24, 1887May 10, 1890None William Smithe [nb 8]

Alexander Edmund Batson Davie [nb 9]
John Robson

NoneNone Charles Edward Pooley [nb 10]

David Williams Higgins

6th Parliament

4 sessions

6th general January 15, 1891June 2, 1894None John Robson [nb 11]

Theodore Davie

NoneNone David Williams Higgins
7th Parliament

4 sessions

7th general November 12, 1894June 7, 1898None Theodore Davie [nb 12]

John Herbert Turner

NoneNone David Williams Higgins [nb 13]

John Paton Booth

8th Parliament

2 sessions

8th general January 5, 1899April 10, 1900None John Herbert Turner [nb 14]

Charles Augustus Semlin [nb 15]
Joseph Martin

NoneNone William Thomas Forster
9th Parliament

4 sessions [6]

9th general July 19, 1900June 16, 1903None James Dunsmuir [nb 16]

Edward Gawler Prior [nb 17]
Richard McBride

NoneNone John Paton Booth [nb 18]

Charles Edward Pooley

10th Parliament 10th general November 26, 1903December 24, 1906 Conservative Richard McBride Liberal

James Alexander MacDonald

None Charles Edward Pooley
11th Parliament 11th general March 7, 1907October 20, 1909 Conservative Richard McBride Liberal

James Alexander MacDonald

None David McEwen Eberts
12th Parliament 12th general January 20, 1910February 27, 1912 Conservative Richard McBride Liberal

James Alexander MacDonald

None David McEwen Eberts
13th Parliament 13th general January 16, 1913May 31, 1916 Conservative Richard McBride [nb 19]

William John Bowser

Liberal

Harlan Carey Brewster

None David McEwen Eberts
14th Parliament 14th general March 1, 1917October 23, 1920 Liberal Harlan Carey Brewster [nb 20]

John Oliver

Conservative

William John Bowser

None John Walter Weart [nb 21]

John Keen

15th Parliament 15th general February 8, 1921May 10, 1924 Liberal John Oliver Conservative

James Alexander MacDonald

None Alexander Malcolm Manson [nb 22]

Frederick Arthur Pauline

16th Parliament 16th general November 3, 1924June 7, 1928 Liberal John Oliver [nb 23]

John Duncan MacLean

Conservative

Robert Henry Pooley

Provincial

Alexander Duncan McRae

John Andrew Buckham
17th Parliament 17th general January 22, 1929August 1, 1933 Conservative Simon Fraser Tolmie Liberal

Thomas Dufferin Pattullo

None James William Jones [nb 24]

Cyril Francis Davie

18th Parliament 18th general February 20, 1934April 12, 1937 Liberal Thomas Dufferin Pattullo Co-operative Commonwealth Federation

Robert Connell [nb 25]

Unionist

Simon Fraser Tolmie

Henry George Thomas Perry
19th Parliament 19th general October 26, 1937July 21, 1941 Liberal Thomas Dufferin Pattullo Conservative

Frank Porter Patterson

Co-operative Commonwealth Federation

Harold Winch [nb 26]

Norman William Whittaker
20th Parliament 20th general December 4, 1941August 31, 1945 Liberal-Conservative coalition John Hart Co-operative Commonwealth Federation

Harold Winch

None Norman William Whittaker
21st Parliament 21st general February 1, 1946April 16, 1949 Liberal-Conservative coalition John Hart [nb 27]

Byron Ingemar Johnson

Co-operative Commonwealth Federation

Harold Winch

None Norman William Whittaker [nb 28]

Robert Henry Carson [nb 29]
John Hart

22nd Parliament 22nd general February 14, 1950April 10, 1952 Liberal-Conservative coalition Byron Ingemar Johnson Co-operative Commonwealth Federation [nb 30]

Harold Winch

Conservative
Herbert Anscomb

None Nancy Hodges
23rd Assembly 23rd general February 3, 1953March 27, 1953 Social Credit W. A. C. Bennett Co-operative Commonwealth Federation

Harold Winch

Liberal

Arthur Laing

Progressive Conservative
Herbert Anscomb

Thomas James Irwin
24th Parliament 24th general September 15, 1953August 13, 1956 Social Credit W. A. C. Bennett Co-operative Commonwealth Federation

Arnold Webster

Liberal

Arthur Laing

Progressive Conservative
Deane Finlayson

Thomas James Irwin
25th Parliament 25th general February 7, 1957August 3, 1960 Social Credit W. A. C. Bennett Co-operative Commonwealth Federation

Robert Strachan

Liberal

Ray Perrault

Thomas James Irwin [nb 31]

Lorne Shantz

26th Parliament 26th general January 26, 1961August 21, 1963 Social Credit W. A. C. Bennett Co-operative Commonwealth Federation

Robert Strachan

Liberal

Ray Perrault

Lorne Shantz
27th Parliament 27th general January 23, 1964August 5, 1966 Social Credit W. A. C. Bennett New Democratic Party

Robert Strachan

Liberal

Ray Perrault

William Harvey Murray
28th Parliament 28th general January 24, 1967July 21, 1969 Social Credit W. A. C. Bennett New Democratic Party

Robert Strachan

Liberal

Ray Perrault

William Harvey Murray
29th Parliament

3 sessions

29th general January 22, 1970July 24, 1972 Social Credit W. A. C. Bennett New Democratic Party

Dave Barrett

Liberal

Pat McGeer

William Harvey Murray
30th Parliament

5 sessions

30th general October 17, 1972November 3, 1975 New Democratic Party Dave Barrett Social Credit

W. A. C. Bennett [nb 32]
Bill Bennett

Liberal

David Anderson

Progressive Conservative
Derril Thomas Warren

Gordon Dowding
31st Parliament

4 sessions

31st general March 17, 1976April 3, 1979 Social Credit Bill Bennett New Democratic Party

William Stewart King [nb 33]
Dave Barrett

Liberal

Gordon Gibson

Progressive Conservative
George Scott Wallace

Ed Smith [nb 34]

Harvey Schroeder

32nd Parliament

4 sessions

32nd general June 6, 1979April 7, 1983 Social Credit Bill Bennett New Democratic Party

Dave Barrett

None Harvey Schroeder [nb 35]

Kenneth Walter Davidson

33rd Parliament

4 sessions

33rd general June 23, 1983September 24, 1986 Social Credit Bill Bennett [nb 36]

Bill Vander Zalm

New Democratic Party

Dave Barrett [nb 37]
Bob Skelly

None Kenneth Walter Davidson
34th Parliament

5 sessions

34th general March 9, 1987September 19, 1991 Social Credit Bill Vander Zalm [nb 38]

Rita Johnston

New Democratic Party

Bob Skelly

None John Douglas Reynolds [nb 39]

Stephen Rogers

35th Parliament

5 sessions

35th general March 17, 1992April 30, 1996 New Democratic Party Mike Harcourt [nb 40]

Glen Clark

Liberal

Gordon Wilson

Social Credit

Rita Johnston

Joan Sawicki [nb 41]

Emery Barnes

36th Parliament

5 sessions

36th general June 25, 1996April 18, 2001 [7] New Democratic Party Glen Clark [nb 42]

Dan Miller [nb 43]
Ujjal Dosanjh

Liberal

Gordon Campbell

Reform

Jack Weisgerber

Progressive Democrat
Gordon Wilson

Dale Lovick [nb 44]

Gretchen Brewin [nb 45]
William James Hartley

37th Parliament

6 sessions

37th general June 19, 20012005 Liberal Gordon Campbell New Democratic Party

Joy MacPhail

None Claude Richmond
38th Parliament

5 sessions

38th general September 12, 20052009 Liberal Gordon Campbell New Democratic Party

Carole James

None Bill Barisoff
39th Parliament

5 sessions [8]

39th general August 29, 2009April 16, 2013 Liberal Gordon Campbell [nb 46]

Christy Clark

New Democratic Party

Adrian Dix

None Bill Barisoff
40th Parliament 40th general June 26, 2013April 11, 2017 Liberal Christy Clark New Democratic Party

Adrian Dix [nb 47]
John Horgan

Green

Andrew J. Weaver [nb 48]

Linda Reid
41st Parliament 41st general June 26, 2017September 21, 2020 Liberal [nb 49]
New Democratic Party
Christy Clark [nb 50]
John Horgan
New Democratic Party

John Horgan [nb 51]
Liberal
Christy Clark

Green

Andrew J. Weaver [nb 52]
Adam Olsen [nb 53]
Sonia Furstenau

Steve Thomson [nb 54]

Darryl Plecas

42nd Parliament 42nd general Dec 7, 2020Sep 21, 2024 New Democratic Party John Horgan [nb 55]
David Eby
Liberal
BC United
Andrew Wilkinson [nb 56]
Shirley Bond [nb 57]
Kevin Falcon
Green
Sonia Furstenau
Raj Chouhan
43rd Parliament 43rd general TBD(n/a) New Democratic Party David Eby Conservative
John Rustad [nb 58]
Green
Sonia Furstenau [nb 59]
TBD

Notes

  1. Political parties did not exist in the British Columbia legislature before 1903
  2. Until December 1872
  3. Until February 1874
  4. Did not exist until 1903
  5. Until January 25, 1876
  6. Until June, 1882
  7. Until January, 1883
  8. Until March, 1887
  9. Until August, 1889
  10. Until 1889
  11. Until June, 1892
  12. Until March, 1895
  13. Until March, 1898
  14. Until August, 1898
  15. Until February, 1900
  16. Until November, 1902
  17. Until June, 1902
  18. Until February 26, 1902
  19. Until December, 1915
  20. Until March, 1918
  21. Until February, 1918
  22. Until January 28, 1922
  23. Until August 17, 1927
  24. Until 1930
  25. After August 1936, following a split in the party, the Social Constructive Party led by Connell became the official opposition
  26. From June, 1939
  27. Until December 28, 1947
  28. Until 1947
  29. Until January, 1949
  30. Until February, 1952
  31. Until April, 1957
  32. Until November, 1973
  33. Until June, 1976
  34. Until 1978
  35. Until 1982
  36. Until August 1986
  37. Until May 1984
  38. Until April 2, 1991
  39. Until 1989
  40. Until February 22, 1996
  41. Until 1994
  42. Until August 25, 1999
  43. Until February 24, 2000
  44. Until 1998
  45. Until 2000
  46. Until March 14, 2011
  47. Until May 4, 2014
  48. From December 9, 2015
  49. until July 18, 2017; government defeated in a non-confidence vote June 29, 2017
  50. until July 18, 2017; government defeated in a non-confidence vote June 29, 2017
  51. until July 18, 2017
  52. until January 6, 2020
  53. until September 14, 2020
  54. until June 29, 2017
  55. until November 18, 2022
  56. until November 21, 2020
  57. until May 16, 2022
  58. Leader of the Conservative Party.
  59. Lost seat in 2024 election. Leads party from outside the legislature.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward Gawler Prior</span> Canadian politician

Edward Gawler Prior, was a mining engineer and politician in British Columbia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leader of the Opposition (British Columbia)</span>

The leader of the Opposition in British Columbia is the member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia who leads the political party recognized as the Official Opposition. This position generally goes to the leader of the largest party in the Legislative Assembly that is not in government.

The Politics of British Columbia involve not only the governance of British Columbia, Canada, and the various political factions that have held or vied for legislative power, but also a number of experiments or attempts at political and electoral reform.

The 9th Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from 1900 to 1903. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in June 1900. James Dunsmuir served as Premier until he resigned in November 21, 1902. Dunsmuir was succeeded by Edward Gawler Prior, who was dismissed by the lieutenant governor for conflict of interest. Richard McBride became Premier in June 1903.

The 10th Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from 1903 to 1906. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in October 1903. This election was the first in British Columbia to be contested by competing political parties. The British Columbia Conservative Party led by Richard McBride, having won the majority of seats, formed the government.

The 14th Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from 1917 to 1920. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in September 1916. The British Columbia Liberal Party, led by Harlan Carey Brewster, formed the government. Following Brewster's death in March 1918, John Oliver became Premier.

The 19th Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from 1937 to 1941. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in June 1937. The Liberal Party, led by Thomas Dufferin Pattullo, formed the government. The Conservative Party formed the official opposition.

The 23rd Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from February 1953 to March 1953. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in June 1952. The Social Credit Party led by W. A. C. Bennett formed the government. The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation led by Harold Winch formed the official opposition.

The 24th Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from September 1953 to 1956. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in June 1953. The Social Credit Party led by W. A. C. Bennett formed the government. The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation led by Arnold Webster formed the official opposition.

The 25th Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from 1957 to 1960. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in September 1956. The Social Credit Party led by W. A. C. Bennett formed the government. The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) led by Robert Strachan formed the official opposition.

The 28th Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from 1967 to 1969. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in September 1966. The Social Credit Party led by W. A. C. Bennett formed the government. The New Democratic Party (NDP) led by Robert Strachan formed the official opposition.

The 29th Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from 1970 to 1972. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in August 1969. The Social Credit Party led by W. A. C. Bennett formed the government. The New Democratic Party (NDP) led by Dave Barrett formed the official opposition.

The 30th Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from 1972 to 1975. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in August 1972. The New Democratic Party (NDP) led by Dave Barrett formed the government. The Social Credit Party led by W. A. C. Bennett formed the official opposition. Bill Bennett was elected Social Credit party leader in November 1973 after his father resigned his seat in the assembly in June 1973.

The 31st Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from 1976 to 1979. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in December 1975. The Social Credit Party led by Bill Bennett formed the government. The New Democratic Party (NDP) led by William Stewart King formed the official opposition. Dave Barrett had lost his seat in the election; he was reelected in a by-election held in June 1976 and resumed his role as party leader.

The 32nd Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from 1979 to 1983. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in May 1979. The Social Credit Party led by Bill Bennett formed the government. The New Democratic Party (NDP) led by Dave Barrett formed the official opposition.

The 33rd Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from 1983 to 1986. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in May 1983. The Social Credit Party led by Bill Bennett formed the government. After Bennett retired in 1986, Bill Vander Zalm became Premier. The New Democratic Party (NDP) led by Dave Barrett formed the official opposition. After Barrett resigned his seat in 1984, Bob Skelly became party leader.

The 34th Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from 1987 to 1991. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in October 1986. The Social Credit Party led by Bill Vander Zalm formed the government. Vander Zalm resigned in 1991 after he was found to have put himself into a conflict of interest; Rita Johnston then became Premier. The New Democratic Party (NDP) led by Bob Skelly formed the official opposition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">36th Parliament of British Columbia</span>

The 36th Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat from 1996 to 2001. The members were elected in the British Columbia general election held in May 1996. The New Democratic Party (NDP) led by Glen Clark formed the government. Clark resigned as premier in August 1999; Dan Miller served as interim premier until a leadership election was held in February 2000 where Ujjal Dosanjh became party leader and premier. The Liberals led by Gordon Campbell formed the official opposition.

References

  1. "Electoral History of British Columbia, 1871-1986" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  2. "Premiers of British Columbia 1871-" (PDF). BC Legislature. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  3. "Leaders of the Opposition in British Columbia 1903-" (PDF). BC Legislature. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  4. "Party Leaders in British Columbia 1900-" (PDF). BC Legislature. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  5. "Speakers of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia 1872-" (PDF). BC Legislature. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  6. Magurn, A J (1905). Canadian Parliamentary Guide 1905.
  7. "Electoral History of British Columbia, Supplement, 1987-2001" (PDF). Elections BC. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  8. "Previous Sessions Debates and Indexes". Hansard Services. Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2014.