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“If she asks me about that, that’s the advice I have to give her because it has to be an honest conversation.”

Clark’s advice is significant because, as premier, what she says will weigh heavily on Guichon as she decides whether to call upon NDP Leader John Horgan to form government or to send the province back to the polls.

The NDP and Greens are expected to combine their 44 votes to defeat the Liberal government at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, and Clark is expected to then immediately visit Government House to speak to Guichon.

Clark said British Columbians don’t want another election. But she doesn’t think the NDP can govern either with 44 votes under a power-sharing alliance with the Greens, compared to the 43-seat Liberals.

“If she asks me that question, am I supposed to lie?” she asked. “Or should I just say I’m sorry, your honour, I can’t talk about that?”

NDP Leader John Horgan said he thinks he’s made a credible case to govern, using a written agreement with the Greens for their support on budgets and confidence matters.

“I’m hopeful she will do the right thing,” he said of Guichon. “We should be given an opportunity to govern.”

Clark told Postmedia News last week she had no intention of giving any advice to the lieutenant-governor if she was forced to resign.

Constitution experts were highly critical of that stand.

“The public statements that the premier will cease to provide advice is deeply troubling and a serious dereliction of her duties,” said Eric Adams, associate professor of law at the University of Alberta and an expert in constitutional matters. “The underpinnings of a responsible government are based on the lieutenant-governor receiving advice from elected officials.”