What Is 31st Parliament of British Columbia

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 31st Parliament of British Columbia convened from 1979 to 1983, following the election on May 22, 1979, and was dominated by Bill Bennett’s Social Credit Party, which won 51 of 75 seats.

Key Facts

Elected on May 22, 1979, with results certified by June 1979
Consisted of 75 Legislative Assembly seats
Social Credit Party won 51 seats under Premier Bill Bennett
Served from 1979 to 1983, spanning one legislative term
Introduced the BC Energy Plan and pursued resource development

Overview

The 31st Parliament of British Columbia was a pivotal legislative session that began after the provincial general election held on May 22, 1979. It marked the continuation of Social Credit dominance in BC politics under the leadership of Premier Bill Bennett, son of former Premier W.A.C. Bennett.

This parliament operated during a period of significant economic planning and resource development in the province. Its term lasted until the next general election in 1983, shaping key policies in energy, infrastructure, and fiscal management.

General Election Date: The election was held on May 22, 1979, with official results confirmed by early June, determining the composition of the 31st Parliament.
Seat Count: The Legislative Assembly consisted of 75 seats, an increase from previous parliaments due to electoral boundary adjustments in the late 1970s.
Majority Government: The Social Credit Party secured a strong majority by winning 51 out of 75 seats, allowing stable governance throughout the term.
Official Opposition: The New Democratic Party (NDP) formed the official opposition, capturing 23 seats, while one independent candidate was elected.
Key Legislation: This parliament passed foundational laws including the BC Energy Plan, which emphasized self-sufficiency in natural gas and hydroelectric development.

How It Works

The structure and operation of the 31st Parliament followed standard Westminster conventions, with the Lieutenant Governor representing the Crown and the elected Legislative Assembly conducting lawmaking.

Term: The 31st Parliament officially convened in June 1979 and lasted until the dissolution of the legislature in 1983. Its full term lasted approximately four years, typical for BC’s fixed election cycle at the time.
Speaker of the House:Frank Roberts was elected Speaker, responsible for maintaining order and parliamentary procedure during debates in the Legislative Assembly.
Session Frequency: The parliament held multiple annual sessions, with key legislative work occurring between 1979 and 1982, including budget approvals and resource policy debates.
Committee System: Standing and special committees were established to review bills, with particular focus on energy, transportation, and finance during this term.
Legislative Process: Bills required three readings in the Assembly and Royal Assent from the Lieutenant Governor; over 200 bills were introduced during the parliamentary term.
Public Access: While public galleries were open, media coverage was limited compared to today, with daily Hansard transcripts providing the official record of debates.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 31st Parliament with adjacent parliamentary sessions to highlight shifts in party strength and governance.

Parliament	Years Active	Seats (Total)	Government Party	Seats Held
29th Parliament	1972–1975	55	NDP	38
30th Parliament	1975–1979	75	Social Credit	49
31st Parliament	1979–1983	75	Social Credit	51
32nd Parliament	1983–1986	75	Social Credit	52
33rd Parliament	1986–1991	77	NDP	47

This table shows the continuity of Social Credit governance from the 30th through the 32nd Parliaments, with incremental seat gains. The 31st Parliament solidified Bill Bennett’s policy agenda, particularly in energy and fiscal conservatism, setting a precedent for resource-led economic growth in BC.

Why It Matters

The 31st Parliament played a crucial role in shaping modern British Columbia’s economic trajectory, particularly through long-term resource planning and infrastructure investment.

Energy Independence: The passage of the BC Energy Plan aimed to make BC self-sufficient in energy, reducing reliance on external oil and gas sources by 1990.
Fiscal Policy: The government introduced spending restraint measures, cutting public sector growth and focusing on debt reduction despite economic headwinds.
Infrastructure Development: Major highway expansions and upgrades to BC Rail and BC Ferries were approved, improving interregional connectivity.
Environmental Regulation: While promoting development, the parliament also established early environmental review processes for large-scale energy projects.
Political Stability: The strong majority allowed for consistent policy implementation, avoiding the instability seen in minority governments of prior years.
Legacy Influence: Policies from this era influenced later governments, including the creation of BC Hydro expansions and long-term energy export strategies.

The 31st Parliament remains a reference point for conservative governance in BC, illustrating how sustained majorities can drive transformative economic policy over a full legislative term.