Challenging Periods Reflected: Six Months In, BC Greens and NDP Point to Advancements and Disagreements
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August 5, 2025 - British Columbia's Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord (CARGA) between the NDP government and the Green Party is still in effect, with both parties reporting progress and ongoing cooperation in advancing shared priorities in housing, healthcare, and climate action.
The NDP, with a slim one-seat majority, secured Green support on all confidence votes through the deal, ensuring legislative stability. Tangible actions include the allocation of $75 million to expand financial aid for elderly renters, funding for the purchase of thousands of non-market housing units, and the initiation of several policy reviews and committees aligned with Green priorities.
Both parties are working in "good faith," emphasising a relationship of trust and focusing on delivering progressive policy rather than mere vote counts. However, some disagreements remain, such as the NDP's push for fast-track legislation in spring 2025 despite Green opposition. The Greens acknowledge that some initiatives are still in the review stages rather than ready for immediate implementation.
The interim leader of the British Columbia Green Party, Jeremy Valeriote, is proud of what the two sides have been able to accomplish despite the disagreements. He acknowledges that the accord has helped maintain a working majority while allowing the Greens to influence government policy, though the relationship continues to navigate challenges as they balance collaboration with party differences.
With a two-member caucus, the British Columbia Green Party's influence extends beyond mere vote counts, as they continue to work towards their shared goals with the NDP government. The accord was designed to maintain the Greens' ability to be an effective opposition, and it seems that this goal is being achieved.
[1] CBC News. (2025). British Columbia Greens and NDP sign confidence and supply agreement. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-greens-ndp-confidence-supply-agreement-1.6102181
[2] The Tyee. (2025). Six Months In: The Green-NDP Accord and the State of BC Politics. Retrieved from https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/04/15/Six-Months-In-The-Green-NDP-Accord-and-the-State-of-BC-Politics/
[3] The Globe and Mail. (2025). British Columbia Greens and NDP reach deal to keep government in power. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-british-columbia-greens-and-ndp-reach-deal-to-keep-government/
This article was first published Aug. 5, 2025.
- The ongoing cooperation between the British Columbia's NDP government and the Green Party, as part of the Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord (CARGA), has led to the implementation of health and environment-focused policies, such as the allocation of $75 million for elderly renter financial aid and the purchase of thousands of non-market housing units.
- In Toronto, the local government ismonitoring the progress and impact of similar policies, inspired by the British Columbia model, to address housing affordability and climate action challenges within their community.
- As political parties nationwide evaluate their strategies, the relationship between the NDP and the Green Party serves as a case study demonstrating that policy-and-legislation agreements can help in maintaining a working majority and facilitate progress, even amidst disagreements and political differences.
- Despite some remaining disagreements, such as the NDP's push for fast-track legislation, the general news sources report that the accord has allowed the Greens to influence the government's policy-making process significantly, ensuring a balanced collaboration between the two parties.
