B.C. Premier David Eby made his first public appearance Tuesday since his election was confirmed Monday.
Speaking in the Legislature building in Victoria, Eby repeated his feeling of being humbled, which he shared last week while the results of the 2024 provincial election were still unconfirmed.
“I think this was a message that was sent, certainly to me, to our government, from British Columbia — that they expect us to do better on a number of key files. But equally, it was the opportunity for us to do better, and I am very grateful and honoured by the opportunity presented by British Columbians to be able to do just that with the team that we’re bringing to the legislature.”
He noted that the BC NDP had been elected to government three times consecutively for the first time in history, adding that he was proud to lead “one of the most diverse and qualified groups of MLAs that this legislature has ever seen.”
Eby said his goal is to open the Legislature, swear in a cabinet, and elect a speaker of the house as soon as possible, but admitted that the timeline is in the hands of Elections BC while judicial recounts are ongoing.
He said he isn’t ruling out any possibility of electing a BC Green Party or BC Conservatives MLA as speaker, so long as that person shares the values of making B.C. a “welcoming province” for everyone.
“We’re going to fight hate and racism. These are non-negotiables for us, then we’re happy to work with you to make sure that the legislature behind me works for British Columbians on those priorities that we all share.”
More to come.
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