Guides

How British Columbia is governed: the job of an MLA, the writ, bills, minority government, the 2024 boundaries and recall.

• 93electoral districtsWhat does an MLA actually do?Three parts: work in the Legislature in Victoria, casework in the riding office, and caucus and committee duty.
• 28days, call to Final Voting DayWhat happens when the writ dropsThe Legislature is dissolved, the campaign period runs 28 days to Final Voting Day, and MLAs stop being MLAs.
• 3readings, each on a different dayHow a bill becomes law in BCThree readings in the Legislative Assembly plus a committee stage and royal assent, and the day the new Act comes into force.
• 47seats is a majority of 93Minority government in BCHow confidence votes and supply work, what the Speaker's casting vote does, and the seat arithmetic since 2024.
• 87 → 93electoral districtsWhy riding boundaries changed in 2024An independent commission added six seats, and BC went from 87 electoral districts to 93.
• 31petitions since 1995How recall works in BCA registered voter petitions to remove an MLA, has 60 days to gather signatures, and must pass a 40 percent threshold.