BC Greens Must Choose: Democracy or Blackmail

The final winner between the NDP and the Conservatives is still to be determined, but one confirmed and undeniable result from the 2024 election is: BC Greens have fallen in public favour.

The Greens, as of the latest count as I write this blog, attracted 167,822 votes across BC … only 8.2% of the total ballots cast.

That’s far, far less than the 284,151 votes the Greens received in the Oct. 2020 vote … when they won 15.09% of the total.

Not only that, but Green party leader Sonia Furstenau also failed to win a seat this time.

Not even spin doctors could perform enough political plastic surgery to make any of that look good!

The NDP, meanwhile, captured 915,248 votes (44.6% of the vote) and the Conservatives won 892,427 votes (43.5%).

And although the final Official tallies are still to be announced by Elections BC, it’s clear: the Greens will finish last.

So I find it a bit “rich” for Furstenau and the Greens, with only TWO seats in the new Legislature, to be holding BC’s democracy hostage for the highest ransom they can extract to determine which party will take power.

It’s hard to conceive ANY concessions the Conservatives could/would make to create a “support” agreement with the Greens, but in politics … especially BC politics … ANYTHING is possible!

However, I believe whichever party ends up with even just one more seat than the Conservatives, that party deserves a chance to try to govern.

Period.

Now, readers of this blog will know I did not vote for the NDP this time.

However, when the voters have spoken, under our first-past-the-post electoral system, the party that ends up with the most seats should get the first chance to govern … without being blackmailed into a formal agreement by a minority fringe party that would extract from our democracy and our taxpayers a very high price just to take office.

In fact, Furstenau, her two elected MLAs, and BC Greens party executives/strategists should read their own 2024 Platform …

“For a democracy to work effectively, the government must
be accountable to the public, reflect voters’ choices,” it reads.

I agree. And so should Furstenau and the Greens now!!!

Nothing wrong with the two elected Greens wheeling and dealing with an NDP government for their votes/support in the Legislature to improve/modify/pass any proposed legislation … one of the benefits I see in having a minority government.

But, I don’t believe … given the Greens’ poor performance (both in seats and popular vote) … they have the right to use blackmail to force any party with a one seat lead to introduce/adopt Green platform policies, just to stay in power.

That’s not democracy; it would be blackmail.

Harv Oberfeld

(Follow @harveyoberfeld.ca on “X” for FREE First Alerts of new postings on this BC-based Blog.)

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13 Responses to BC Greens Must Choose: Democracy or Blackmail

  1. Eldon says:

    Turns out, no they don’t.

  2. Chuck B says:

    It’s going to be a new “world” for us now, watching what will be happening with this new government ….. probably a new election sometime next year … I keep trying to watch Global, CTV local and CBC to see what they have to say … they all seem to lean toward the NDP . and Global seems to repeat and repeat stories …. so lately, I switched to CNN and Fox (which I never ever do) just to get something new … well, in the US they live in a different political/reporting world …. it is unreal … meanwhile I will read BBC etc on line …

    (Response: I believe it’s really important for al of us living in BC and in Canada to keep up with local, provincial and federal happenings/issues … so CNN, Fox and BBC are useful on world issues, but also biased, and certainly not the answer to keeping up with news here. I still watch TV news here (actually tape and speed through) despite its degradation, to see the basics but also have gone back to print, or at least the digital versions, subscribing to The Vancouver Sun, Globe and Mail and even Toronto Star. Not only gives some depth … but feel I’m also help supporting “print” journalism in Canada, which we really need! h.o)

  3. RIsaak says:

    The current state of governance both Provincially & Federally, make the argument against prop rep in a very poignant manner.

    With a federal minority we’ve seen Jagmeet play kingmaker and many of his pet issues getting far more attention than his electoral lack of success should dictate, all orchestrated to achieve political survival for the Trudeau govt..

    The Bloc has now waded into these frigid waters with the stated goal of pension increases & preservation of current supply management (dairy quota system) numbers.

    Yes we have seen much posturing from opposition lesser lights, all geared towards the lesser lights getting parts of their agenda accomplished even tho they are 3rd or 4th place at the polls. Given voter apathy & small supporting numbers the agenda of very small groups is given the traction most voters would not really care about. Sort of the goal of the PR crowd, one which may if implemented cause many “unforeseen consequences”.

    Eby has a very slim majority, Sonia has scuttled any real progress for her group, Rusty has to suppress the radicals & focus on expanding his support base by a bit for future success.

    Now we’ll see if Eby follows through on many of his reversal of policy campaign promises, engage the “hurtlands” & get some fresh economic growth before the exploding debt gets any further out of control.

    Greens are stuck in the abyss of being a non factor for the foreseeable future, a lesson Jagmeet & the Bloc are about to also learn after propping up and offering to prop up the Liberal minority.

    (Response; At one time, I thought proportional representation would be a good thing: resulting in elected representation for all voters, even those who supported small parties. Then I started to notice the terrible impact small parties can have in countries Italy and Israel … absolute blackmail power! So, No, I no longer support prop rep …but in a perfect centrist world, I wouldn’t mind seeing a government appoint to its cabinet a moderate member or two from the opposing side. h.o)

  4. Nonconfidencevote says:

    @ eaf
    “did people not notice the atmospheric river which went through this province ”
    ++++
    Yes, I heard Furstenau snarkily referred to it on the night of her election defeat.
    One has to ask why she lost her seat….
    Face it.
    1 or 2 Green seats in the Leg will achieve nothing.
    A wasted vote 99% of the time
    Unless, of course, during a razor thin majority, they force their unaffordable, expensive, tax increase agenda….on an electorate that didnt vote…for them.
    You know.
    Blackmail.

  5. Ijustdontknowanymore says:

    Looks like the NDP won the majority. If that’s what it is. Pretty borderline though. But thats good because he deserves to be cornered this way. Hopefully he will tow the line for all contributing British Columbians interests. We will see if he can hold himself. I’m not so sure. I think he’s going have to be held in check constantly because he’s already shaped and it’s part of his permanent political makeup. So here’s to hoping for hard in his face opposition.

    (Response: My own impression is that during his two years of being an un-elected Premier, surrounded by “Yes”-men and women ideologues within the NDP and a largely compliant, complacent sympathetic media, Eby developed an arrogance that came through in his actions ad his attitudes towards criticisms. Maybe he has learned and will change … and a good start will be to start paying attention to what I and others write on Keeping it Real: it’s a good reflection of how many, many British Columbians really feel and want changed ..or WILL throw him out the next chance they get! h.o)

  6. e.a.f. says:

    I wouldn’t say its black mail. Its doing business to achieve your party’s goals. Even if there are only two Green’s in the Leg. their party members expect them to get the best deal possible. Others may not like the Green’s position on a number of things, but they do have a better grasp on some issues than other parties. did people not notice the atmospheric river which went through this province which caused the deaths of 3 people and then of course there were the hurricanes in the southern
    U.S.A.
    I’m not a Green Party member and there are a number of things I don’t like about the Greens, but really some one has to look out for the enviornment.
    The Green Party leader changed ridings. She inherited a family home in Victoria and went to live there. She grew up two doors down from the house she now lives in. I’m not surprised she didn’t win, but it most likely was due to the limited time she had to get ready in the new riding. She had been very involved in her former community and was well known for her activism. So now we go forward. Like no one has to “make a deal” with any one, they can just continue as they are. Don’t know if too many people would notice. Yes, there is work to be done with housing, medical services, drug addiction, more schools but if none of it were done, lots of people wouldn’t care or notice. We’re very self absorbed these days.

    (Response: There’s a big difference between influencing and impacting government policies and Bills and blackmailing government to adopt radical policies/changes … or face defeat in the House. h.o)

  7. Gilbert says:

    When I watched the debate, I thought the leader of the Green Party sounded extremely left-wing, probably even more to the left than David Eby. For me it will be very scary if the Green Party forms part of the next government. I hope that doesn’t happen.

    (Response: As of tonight, with the NDP likely to make it to 47 seats, it looks like we won’t have to worry much about the Greens being in a blackmail position. However, they could still exert a bit of influence if, over time, the NDP has an MLA or two absent for whatever reasons and has legislation to process. But that doesn’t bother me as much… not as dangerous as a 46-45 split would have been. h.o)

  8. Nonconfidencevote says:

    100% agreement.
    Unelected Furstenau has the gall to hold the entire province up to her whim.
    Begone.
    Speaking of vanishing Green “Leaders”…
    What ever happened to “Dream Weaver”, the former Green “Consigliore”.
    He wasted no time getting concessions out of Horgan and then “Poof” he was gone.

    (Response: Weaver is still around. I hear him interviewed on occasion and he actually comes off these days as quite moderate, reasonable and realistic! h.o)

  9. Not Sure says:

    I am just wondering what horrible policy you are afraid the Greens could demand to gain their support on confidence motions. Has there ever been a minority government that was “blackmailed” by another party to gain that support.

    And so what if the Greens propose something? Blackmail only works if the other party gives into the blackmailer’s demands. If the NDP or the Conservatives (depending on outcome) are foolish enough to accept some outrageous Green proposal, then that’s on them.

    But I think we are getting ahead of ourselves. As I type this we still don’t know the final outcome and we still don’t know what the Greens will be asking. As you point out minority governments can be successful. Pearson never had a majority and he is considered one of our greatest Prime Ministers. And in Harper’s case, I wasn’t upset when he was in a minority position. With a majority on the other hand …

    I might be wrong but all should be pretty tame until either the government falls on a confidence motion or calls an election because the opposition isn’t allowing them to do what it feels is best for the province and will run on those issues. And the people will get decide again.

    (Response: I read the Greens platform … and find several elements of it radical, extreme, very costly and potentially damaging to the BC economy and taxpayers… esp even higher carbon taxes and a total moratorium on LNG development, even if it has First Nations support. Here’s one story on it: https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/bc-green-party-unveils-platform-big-spending-taxing-phasing-out-natural-gas. Frankly, although I voted Conservative this time, I’d rather have an NDP narrow majority rather than a minority that needs to capitulate to Green support or blackmail to survive. h.o)

  10. D. M. Johnston says:

    Whoever advised Fursteneau in the last election, had better be looking for a new job because she blew it and blew it big time.

    Instead of aiming for 5 or 6 seats, she opted to compete against the NDP and Conservatives directly and that was a big, big mistake.

    Instead of real “Green” policies, she opted for unworkable “free transit”, which would be unworkable in BC and Canada for that matter.

    Money would have been better spent promoting the E&N or even the Valley Rail project, but she listened to the wrong people and paid the price.

    Whatever the Greens do, they will probably make the wrong decision.

    By election two members to the legislature, tells me that the public have “bought in” to the party and the issue of Global Warming”, but a good way to lose that support is unworkable promises and politically correct stances on issues (which is why Eby’s NDP lost so many seats).

    Personally, a close majority, one or two seats, means the government, either NDP or Conservative cannot go on a mad spending spree as one politcal mistake could cost them the “house” and that is a good thing as MLA’s will actually have to earn their salaries.

    Sadly, I wish the term “democracy” is not used as it is today as our so called democratic system, first past the post/winner take all, is not very democratic at all and in fact rather authoritarian, except for a bout 12 hours every 4 years. Our kids certainly believe this and our politcal masters also do as well, so a little bit of politcal “balckmail” fits right in with our electoral system and one of the reasons politcans do not want it changed.

    (Response: I have written before that I actually don’t mind minority governments, because they keep politicians (like Eby) from developing arrogance and a deaf ear to others’ views/complaints/pleadings. But there is a difference between those holding minority power moderating or expanding or otherwise improving a government Bill … and holding a gun to the head of the government, saying it’s their way, or defeat. The Greens should understand and respect their own statement of principles in their platform supporting democracy! h.o)

    • Ijustdontknowanymore says:

      Sadly the way the rules allow another party is allowed to prop up or join the ones forming government even if the government is a minority or miniscule majority is not really right. That government as the NDP is now, should be standing on its own two feet without any crutch to help it.
      So even if that government messed up mightily in performance such as the NDP did, they should still stand and fall, on their own, because it’s all of their own doing. Anything else isn’t really democratic as far as I can tell. The way it is now, takes the breath away from what the voters did. It’s actually a slap in our face and go’s completely against our wishes and what we did at the ballot box. I say now shame on the Greens if they prop up the government. Let the them go down if it’s necessary and have another election down the road. It’s the only way we see the truth about each party’s stance and wether they straighten themselves out or not. Maybe the Greens will be the first to show a moral position and stay by themselves and just work at building their own foundation by themselves. Things can still get done for the public interest when a minority is held in check and actually can be better as you touched on.

      (Response: The Greens have no hope of forming government (provincially or federally) in the foreseeable future: they’re too radical … as Vancouverites saw when they exerted influence/power at City Hall and the Parks Board. But many believe they can play a good role in keeping the spotlight on the environment and climate change … without blinding or blindsiding the economy, the middle class and seniors. h.o)

      • D. M. Johnston says:

        The problem with the “Green” party is that they are a collection of several politcal movements, with civic Greens not representing Provincial Greens, which do not represent Federal Greens and their policies reflect this.

        Basically, the Greens are a party of protest, where one can park their vote, if their disgust of the other main parties and candidates do not pass their “smell” test.

        As I said before, Fursteneau should have stuck with a plan to win a few more seats to both gain credibility and experience and she has done neither.

        Until the “Greens” create rational policies, based on electoral expedience and practicability, they will remain largely in the wilderness, politically.

  11. Marge says:

    Sorry hate to disillusion you, but it will be “blackmail” with a minority government. All you have to look at is the NDP in the federal government. Strange that the Greens would even consider supporting the NDP when they treated them horribly with the snap election prior to this one.

    (Response: Certainly the federal NDP applied pressure and effected changes, but they were so happy to have that influence, I thought they applied pressure fairly and I did not view their exercising it as blackmail. H.o)

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