Premier John Horgan. Let that phrase sink in for a minute. Because by Wednesday, it could be the new political reality.

British Columbia Premier John Horgan.

Let that phrase sink in for a minute. Because by Wednesday, it could become the new political reality.

Distroscale

B.C. Green Leader Andrew Weaver will decide by then which party his three MLAs will support in a future government. Neither the NDP (at 41 seats) nor the Liberals (at 43 seats) have a majority in the 87-seat legislature, meaning Weaver’s decision will ultimately hand the premiership to the leader of that chosen party.

If the Greens pick the NDP this week, that will force Premier Christy Clark to either resign or call back the legislature to watch her government defeated on a confidence vote. Either way, Horgan likely emerges as premier.

Behind the scenes, New Democrats wouldn’t be human if, so close to the actual taste of power, they weren’t considering what a Horgan cabinet would look like.

Typically, a B.C. cabinet is between 16 to 20 people — though it could grow much larger if the NDP wants to add portfolios on women’s equality, mental health, and break up key issues like housing affordability and public transit into smaller more specific portfolios. There are consolation prizes too for those who don’t make the cut — including the jobs of caucus whip, caucus chair and house leader, which are vitally important with a minority seat count and come with a pay bump.

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In picking his ministers, Horgan would have to consider skill sets, gender, ethnicity, experience and geographic location of ridings, to try and balance out his top posts with people who represent the diversity of the province.

But there are other issues at play as well.

THE VANCOUVER PROBLEM

The NDP have eight high-profile MLAs in Vancouver, who alone would take up 40 per cent of a 20-person cabinet, crowding out the rest of the province and over-representing one city. Horgan will have to make tough decisions.

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Veterans like Adrian Dix and Shane Simpson would expect years of loyal service to be rewarded. Rising stars like David Eby and Melanie Mark are the future of the party, and could shine in portfolios like attorney general and the children’s ministry, respectively. Spencer Chandra-Herbert has been an effective critic, and is also a champion of the under-represented LGBTQ community.

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Those names alone start to crowd out hopefuls like George Heyman, Mable Elmore and newcomer George Chow.

GIANT KILLERS

Speaking of Chow, the Chinese-Canadian former Vancouver city councillor would normally be a strong cabinet contender simply because he toppled Liberal Attorney General Suzanne Anton in Vancouver-Fraserview.

These so-called giant killers of Liberal ministers also include Bowinn Ma, the articulate young capital projects manager who defeated emergency preparedness minister Naomi Yamamoto in North Vancouver-Lonsdale. She could be a cabinet contender.

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Former RCMP inspector Gary Begg and returning MLA Jagrup Brar also knocked off cabinet ministers, but may be elbowed out in favour of other longtime potential Surrey cabinet picks like Bruce Ralston and Harry Bains.

VETERANS

The NDP has no shortage of experienced MLAs from which to make senior ministers. At the top of that list is former leader Carole James, one of the most widely-respected MLAs in any party and Horgan’s top adviser. She’d likely be first pick for Finance Minister, and perhaps deputy premier.

Mike Farnworth is entering his seventh term as MLA and is the only New Democrat with cabinet experience from the NDP government of the 1990s. But he might prefer to be Speaker.

Another veteran who seems like a shoe-in for a post is Ralston, the longtime MLA, lawyer and former party president. You can add Selina Robinson from Coquitlam-Maillardville to the cabinet list, too, — while she’s only be entering her second term as MLA she’s made a big impact in the NDP and has a history of municipal experience as well. The same for Judy Darcy in Burnaby.

FRESH BLOOD

Horgan will have trouble balancing out the cabinet with fresh new MLAs when so many veterans are looking for a nod after years toiling in opposition.

But a good bet is Ravi Kahlon, the Olympic field hockey player who took the riding of Delta North for the NDP with a hard-fought campaign. He’d be an articulate minister with deep ties to the South Asian community. Another new face to watch is Anne Kang, the three-time Burnaby councillor and teacher who won the riding of Burnaby-Deer Lake.

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While she’s not new to politics, former Surrey MP Jinny Sims will be entering her first term as MLA and could be called upon for cabinet consideration as well.

THE BAKER’S DOZEN

There’s nothing more vicious than an internal NDP fight, and so it’s no surprise that some bitter feelings still linger for the so-called Baker’s Dozen of MLAs who mutinied against leader Carole James in 2010, forcing her to resign. Horgan was a James loyalist. She’s now his top adviser. The rebels remain largely on the fringes.

That troubled history won’t outright preclude MLAs from making cabinet, but it remains a knock against their character. The list includes: Claire Trevena, Leonard Krog, Nicholas Simons, Doug Routley, Lana Popham and Katrine Conroy.

GEOGRAPHICAL SHORTCOMINGS

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The NDP’s major gains in Metro Vancouver on May 9 have left it a largely urban-centered party, with only three seats outside the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. Those MLAs could play key roles in a Horgan cabinet, acting as liaisons to the vast interior and northern regions where the party has virtually no presence.

Michelle Mungall, the three-term MLA for Nelson-Creston and former local councillor, has shown considerable skill in opposition and would be a top cabinet pick even without the added bonus of her riding being one of only two for the NDP in the southeast.

Doug Donaldson from Stikine would be the natural choice to become voice of the North in cabinet as well.

There are still a few hurdles facing Horgan before he actually becomes premier, and gets to assemble his crew of ministers.

Undoubtedly, he’d bruise some feelings along the way with his picks. It’s the first in a series of tough decisions he’d have to make if and when he gets the chance to become B.C.’s 36th premier.