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VICTORIA — In the long, extraordinary, and at-times wacky history of B.C. politics, there has never been a year quite like 2017.

The closest election in provincial history, followed by the first minority government since 1952, and then the first time in 114 years that an opposition party defeated a government on a confidence vote in the legislature and assumed power without having to go to a new election.

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It was a year that saw the office of the lieutenant-governor flex its little-used powers, reminding the public that the Queen’s representative in B.C. is more than a figurehead.

And a year that saw B.C.’s cast of political characters shift dramatically: Liberal premier Christy Clark, who had dominated the political scene since her return in 2011, exited the stage in abrupt defeat. Green leader Andrew Weaver became kingmaker, with his party’s three seats holding the balance of power. And the NDP’s John Horgan rose to the challenge of becoming B.C.’s 36th premier, leading New Democrats to office after 16 years on the sidelines.