B.C. politicians return to legislature for summer sitting to pass budget

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B.C. Premier Christy Clark meets with Lieutenant-Governor Judith Guichon on the steps of Legislative before opening the first session of the 40th Parliament of British Columbia at the Legislature, Wednesday, June 26, 2013. in Victoria,B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

VICTORIA – British Columbia’s politicians are back at the legislature today to kick off what is scheduled as a month-long session of debate to pass the province’s budget.

The budget was originally introduced last February, but did not pass before the legislature adjourned for last month’s election campaign.

Premier Christy Clark’s Liberals were elected to a fourth consecutive mandate, but Clark lost her own seat in Vancouver-Point Grey and today she doesn’t officially have a seat in the legislature.

Clark has been campaigning in a byelection set for July 10 in the Westside-Kelowna riding.

Finance Minister Mike de Jong says the budget he tables Thursday is on target to meet the government’s projection last February of a surplus of $197 million.

In the legislature’s first piece of business today, veteran Richmond East Liberal Judith Reid was acclaimed as the new Speaker of the legislature, replacing former Speaker Bill Barisoff who retired.

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