Growing chorus of opposition to B.C. NDP legislation grows louder – even after bills are passed

Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma pushes to plough on with B.C.’s fast-track bill despite the growing concerns from Indigenous groups and environmentalists.

There were dramatic moments at the B.C. Legislature Wednesday night as two controversial bills passed by the thinnest of margins, with Speaker Raj Chouhan breaking the tie.

Bills 14 and 15 were designated confidence votes by the NDP, meaning it would have toppled the government if they didn’t pass.

The legislation is aimed at fast tracking energy and infrastructure projects, but has faced harsh criticism, including from business groups, First Nations leaders and environmental groups.

“A disrespect to all the people that spoke against it – the nations that spoke against it, the municipalities that spoke against it, and environmental organizations that spoke against it,” said Lucero Gonzalez with the Wilderness Committee on Thursday, reflecting on what it means that the bills passed.

And Bill 14 nearly failed. NDP MLA Rick Glumac, who was voting virtually, had a blurred background – a point of contention for the B.C. Conservatives, who noted the rules restrict a virtual background.

Chouhan ruled the mistake wasn’t fatal to the outcome, a decision that triggered outrage by the Conservatives, who stormed out in protest.

On Thursday, Conservative Leader John Rustad told reporters his party had looked into whether it could take action to have Chouhan removed as Speaker, but learned there was no such mechanism to do so.

“He has seriously shaken our confidence in his ability to carry on with that job,” said Rustad.

The NDP said Chouhan did his job correctly, and maintained the controversial bills will be good laws.

“We made it clear that we want to get things done in province,” said NDP house leader Mike Farnworth. “The public expects us to be doing that.”

Protestors also launched a sit-in at Energy Minister Adrian Dix’s Vancouver office Thursday.

“It feels like a betrayal, Bill 15 feels like a betrayal,” said Paige Gorsak, one of the protestors.

Indigenous leaders continue to express anger they weren’t consulted on the laws as well. Melanie Mark, former NDP cabinet minister and B.C.’s first female First Nation MLA, called it a step back in reconciliation.

“We’re going to build things by working together, not by ramming through projects and bypassing Indigenous consent,” Mark told CTV News.

First Nations have said legal action and further protests are likely.

The controversy sparked Wednesday night might just be the beginning of the uproar over the legislation, said UBC political scientist Stewart Prest.

“The risks are real and they are potentially significant,” said Prest.