Christy Clark not stepping down, but plans to recall house soon

Clark says she won't call new election The day after the NDP and Green announced a deal to form government, Christy Clark is admitting she likely won't be premier much longer.

Christy Clark is not going to resign, but she admits her time as premier is probably running out.

Despite the B.C. Green Party's decision to support an NDP minority government, Clark announced Tuesday that she will be hanging onto power, at least for the time being.

The B.C. Liberal leader said she plans to recall the legislature for a confidence vote shortly, potentially in early June.

"We have a duty to meet the house and test its confidence. Constitutional convention tells us that," Clark told reporters at a news conference.

But the premier acknowledged she likely won't be in power for long.

"Should the government fail the test in the house, as seems likely, I would be given the job of leader of the opposition. And I'm more than ready and willing to take that job on," she said.

Given the agreement reached between the NDP and Greens, the vote is unlikely to pass. Should it be defeated, Clark said she won't be asking Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon to call another election, a decision that was applauded even by some of her critics.

"I think the way she behaved today was entirely honourable as the premier of British Columbia," political strategist Norman Spector said.

NDP leader John Horgan and Green leader Andrew Weaver praised the premier as well, noting it's her constitutional right to take first crack at forming government.

Weaver described her press conference as "very gracious," and said he hopes the Liberals will follow through in a timely manner so the Greens and NDP can move forward with their agenda.

With files from CTV Vancouver's Penny Daflos