Update: Opening of BC Government Going Ahead Despite Weather Issues

Feb 12, 2019 | 1:00 PM

Feb. 12

It appears the Speech from the Throne at the BC Legislature will still go ahead despite a snow storm that has cancelled flights and ferries.

However the usual military honour guard, marching band and cannon salutes will not take place before Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin enters the house to read the speech.

The speech sets the government’s political agenda for the coming months and is expected to start around 3 p.m.

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There may be only a few MLA’s on hand for Tuesday’s Speech From the Throne to kick off the new legislative session in Victoria.

There is also a chance the event could be postponed.

Vernon Monashee MLA Eric Foster says he was able to fly into Victoria Sunday night, but a number of Vancouver and other MLA’s have been unable to get to the capital city due to the weather and low clouds.

Foster says there is a chance the house leader could postpone the opening.

“If the weather stays the same, there will be a whole lot of people that wont be here, so the house leader could postpone it. But I would imagine it will go forward,” Foster tells Beach Radio News.

Foster is not aware of a speech from the throne being delayed in the past.

“It’s socked in here. The airport is closed, and the heli-jet is closed, so a whole bunch of people got as far as Vancouver, and the Vancouver people aren’t here, on both sides of the house,” adds Foster.

Foster says as long as 13 members are on hand, the house can open and the speech could go ahead.

“I don’t know if it’s ever been postponed, certainly not in my memory, but this is BC politics. You never know.”

by Corey Fischer