Newcomers are often puzzled when first trying to understand B.C. politics, but after a brief exposure they join the rest of us in utter bewilderment.
Perversity, however, may have reached its zenith this week. After engaging the legislature in a masquerade ball, still-Premier Christy Clark took off her hastily made NDP costume and tendered her resignation to Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon.
We offer deep thanks to our lieutenant-governor for saving a wearied electorate from a costly, provincewide do-over that might well have left the political dust exactly where it stands today. (As North Shore commuters, we’re aware gridlock can always be worse tomorrow.)
But while we praise Guichon, we’re troubled by the power of her office.
It should worry us all that the future of the province rested – however briefly – with a small potatoes Liberal donor/political appointee representing Her Majesty the Queen.
We admire the Queen personally and happily overlook the taxpayer cost of royal visits, but the monarchy must not play a crucial role in our democracy. We’re also not sure if it does the Royal Family much good to be associated with B.C. politics, but that’s another matter.
As our 41+3 Frankenstein government lurches into power we wish them luck in balancing economic imperatives with environmental needs while bringing swift ends to both the housing and fentanyl crises.
But whether the NDGreen alliance succeeds or fails, we should be mindful that their opportunity to govern was ultimately the product of the lieutenant governor’s grace.
Let’s hope we never need that grace again.
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