The B.C. Legislative Assembly voted Monday to approve severance payments on behalf of BC United after the dissolved party said it could not afford to let go 25 members of its caucus and staff.
In late August, Leader Kevin Flacon announced he was suspending BC United’s campaign and instead endorsing the BC Conservatives. Since then, the party has announced some MLAs will continue to run as independents or as BC Conservatives candidates.
The province’s all-party Legislative Assembly Management Committee (LAMC) gathered Monday to address the needs of the remaining BC United caucus and staff who will be out of a job when the next government is formed.
As provincial employees, their severance is the obligation of the Legislative Assembly, failing the responsibility of their party.
BC NDP Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon addressed the committee to share both his support and frustration.
“When John Rustad and Kevin Falcon were sitting downtown at the Wall Centre negotiating power agreements, no consideration was made by them about their workers: the people who are serving British Columbia, working for them in the legislature,” Kahlon said.
“I think this is shameful that we’re even having this conversation.”
Kahlon says it calls into question why there were so many BC United staff members without contracts that accounted for their severance.
“Where did the money go? Why are we in this situation?” he asked.
He said his support for the motion comes from the belief that staff have a right to support, especially after some, he claims, had served the legislature for “20 years.”
The LAMC voted to approve the motion, funding severance payments and travel fees for staff members to close out their offices in Victoria and return to their home constituencies.
The B.C. general election is scheduled for Oct. 19.