Parliament of British Columbia | |
|---|---|
| 43rd Parliament of British Columbia | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | Legislative Assembly |
| Sovereign | The lieutenant governor (representing the King of Canada) |
| History | |
| Founded | July 20, 1871 |
| Preceded by | Governor-in-Council of the United Colony of British Columbia |
| Leadership | |
Charles III September 8, 2022 | |
Janet Austin April 24, 2018 | |
The Parliament of British Columbia is made of two elements: the lieutenant governor (representing the King of Canada), and the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia (which meets at the British Columbia Parliament Buildings). The Parliament of British Columbia has existed since the province joined Canada in 1871, before which it was preceded by the Parliament of the United Colony of British Columbia.
Like the Canadian federal government, British Columbia uses a Westminster-style parliamentary government, in which members are sent to the Legislative Assembly after general elections and from there the party with the most seats chooses a premier of British Columbia and the Executive Council of British Columbia. The premier is British Columbia's head of government, while the King of Canada is its head of state and is represented by the lieutenant governor. Before 1903, candidates in British Columbia elections were not affiliated with political parties.