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While it may be faster and more convenient to govern by cabinet order, that route could also open the Horgan government to criticism it was making major policy decisions in secret without public debate in the legislature. Cabinet and ministerial orders only become public days after being signed.

Major spending promises, which would need authorization through the budget and budget-related legislation, would trigger the Green agreement that requires the party to vote in favour of NDP confidence on matters like the budget.

NDP MLA Carole James said she experts the government to have “a mix” of cabinet orders and legislation, including bills the NDP promised the Greens it would introduce during its first legislative this fall but might simply be discussion bills to be changed and passed the following year.

“You will also see some enabling legislation where you won’t see all the detail of the final product in the legislation in the fall,” said James. “The example of that will be electoral reform. We’ll have legislation come forward that will enable the process to begin, that will start the public consultations. Probably the same for union and corporate donations. But they won’t be finalized until that public consultation has occurred.”

Nonetheless, the NDP is promising “a strong legislative agenda” with the chance for all MLAs to contribute to bills, said James.

“People keep talking about the tight votes. Well, if the B.C. Liberals really live up to what was in their throne speech we should have unanimous votes in the legislature,” said James.