“I’m still kind of pinching myself,” New Westminster MLA Judy Darcy told the Record Friday afternoon.
Less than 24 hours earlier, Darcy and her NDP colleagues were celebrating the news that party leader John Horgan had been tapped by Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon to become the 36th premier of British Columbia.
The announcement came several hours after outgoing Premier Christy Clark and her B.C. Liberal Party fell in a 44 to 42 vote of non-confidence, ending 16 years of Liberal rule in the province.
While it’s still to be determined when Horgan will be officially sworn in as premier, Darcy is ready to get to work right away.
“I’m just thinking, ‘Wow, it’s actually going happen,’” she said.
The first step of the transition is already underway. Last night, the NDP were given access to all the briefing notes for the different ministries. Next, Horgan will appoint a cabinet, which is expected to take a couple of weeks. Darcy expects the legislature will be called back shortly after Labour Day, at which time the new government will present a throne speech and a budget.
“The details of that, of course, remain to be worked out. This is all totally, totally fresh,” she said. “The commitments that we made right through the election campaign were all about making life more affordable for people in New Westminster and across the province,” she said.
Among the laundry list of commitments is a promise to make changes to the Residential Tenancy Act, including extending the notice period for people being evicted and enacting a first right of refusal clause. These issues are especially top of mind for renters in New Westminster, according to Darcy.
Earlier this month, she held a community meeting to address concerns of renters living at 322 Seventh St. Shortly after the three-storey apartment building was sold, residents on the third floor were issued two-month eviction notices, citing “extensive renovations were required.”
Unfortunately, any new laws or changes to the Residential Tenancy Act the NDP brings in won’t help the tenants already facing eviction, a fact Darcy lamented.
“We can’t undo it,” she said. “The changes we will make to the Residential Tenancy Act will change the situation for the future.”
Other priorities include working with the city to make their transportation goals a reality. And as for whether Darcy will be given a cabinet position, she couldn’t say.
“Everyone is thrilled as well as just really, really aware of the awesome responsibility we’ve been given. So whatever role I play, I’m going to do it as I always do, which is 24-7 with passion and gusto,” she said.
