New and returning MLAs sworn in at the BC Legislature

The swearing-in of new and returning MLAs who will serve in the 43rd parliament began Tues. at the BC Legislature.

The two Green MLAs, lawyer Rob Botterell who represents Saanich North and the Islands, and geological engineer Jeremy Valeriote, of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky took their oaths of office at 3pm while Conservatives who captured 44 seats in last month’s election did so at 6pm.

“I, [A.B.], swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God”, is the oath each MLA must swear.

"We're in discussions with the NDP and right now we're putting together our plan for the next four years,” Bottrell said at a news gathering following the ceremony, remaining purposefully vague on party strategy.

Following what was a razor-thin electoral race, the two Greens could play a key role in a government led by David Eby, where the NDP holds a one-seat majority of 47 in the 93-seat legislature.

Following his swearing-in on Tuesday, Conservative Leader John Rustad spoke about the significance of the gender and racial diversity achieved in his caucus. ÁÁ’a:líya (Aliya) Warbus, a member of the Sto:lo nation was elected alongside Reann Gasper, the second Black woman to be elected in BC after Rosemary Brown won her seat in 1972.

"I think in Canada, as a percentage, we have the largest number of women elected as a Conservative caucus in this country," Rustad said. "It's a lot to be proud of."

Rustad said there was “a lot of excitement” among the party members. “Everybody is eager to get at it and start the work.”

Elizabeth May accompanied Sonia Furstenau, the former Cowichan Valley MLA and leader of the provincial Greens who lost her bid for re-election in Victoria. Furstenau has committed to staying on as provincial leader of the Greens. May told reporters “It's a very encouraging day. It means a lot," said May. "To see Jeremy Valeriote be our foothold for the first time, first elected Green in B.C. who wasn't from Vancouver Island, and in my own riding with Robert Botterell in Saanich North and the Islands, I'm extremely gratified."

It was the NDP’s moment on Wednesday but it was a bitter sweet one, only one day after the passing of former premier John Horgan. In honour of Horgan’s passion and support for the Victoria Shamrocks lacrosse, Ravi Parmar, MLA of Langford Juan de Fuca wore a green and white team jersey in the chamber.

NDP MLA Ravi Parmar takes his parliamentary oath wearing a Victoria Shamrocks lacrosse jersey in honour of John Horgan. Photo: Sidney Coles

Over Instagram on Tuesday, Parmar said “There are no words to describe what John meant to me. He is the most remarkable person I have ever met.” Horgan visited Parmar’s classroom when the MLA was in Grade 5 in Langford.

Diana Gibson maintained the NDP's hold on the Oak Bay riding formerly represented by the outgoing Murray Rankin. Following the ceremony, she told Capital Daily she was feeling “very humbled and grateful to the community members, the thousands of people who shared at the door their hopes, their dreams, their challenges and then put their trust in us to deliver on those.”

Gibson said the New Democrats have a solid team and are ready to work to tackle the challenges BC residents see in their communities.

Premier David Eby will announce his new cabinet next week and is expected to recall the legislature in the coming days for a short, fall sitting to elect a Speaker.

Celebrating the women majority in the legislature, Gibson said she brought her daughter and my two nieces” for them to be able to be in that room and see that.”

Returning MLA Grace Lore, the incumbent NDP and former children’s minister, who held off Furstinau in Victoria-Beacon Hill spoke about how different this post-election was to last.

“It was COVID. When we got to the other side of the election, we didn't have a chance to connect with colleagues, to be out in the community,” she said

“It's even more special the second time around, you know the magnitude of the job, the importance of what you can do in this place,” Lore said.

After such a tight race, the NDP will have to work across the aisle with both the Conservatives and the Greens. The work can be antagonistic but Lore said there’s room for cooperation.

“What you see in the legislature is, is one thing. What I observed last time was folks will signal across the aisle, they'll reach out if they've got a question or concern in their community, and there are those opportunities to work together to solve things for British Columbians,” she said.

Newcomer Nina Krieger, who held onto outgoing four-term MLA Rob Fleming's riding, considered one of the NDP's safest seats, said: “I feel overwhelmed with gratitude to the community of Victoria-Swan Lake that sent me here and to my colleagues. I am really humbled and energized to begin to do the work on behalf of all British Columbians.

When asked about what she brings to the new job, she told Capital Daily: “I think if you focus on the service which is integral to this work, and the why we’re doing it, that's extremely humbling, I think it’s also grounding. I'm just looking forward to bringing my focus, and I love my energy, to the work. ”

All members of the Legislature are listed here.