What Is 36th Parliament of British Columbia

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 36th Parliament of British Columbia convened on June 12, 1996, following the May 28, 1996, provincial election, and lasted until the dissolution of the legislature in 2001. It was dominated by the BC Liberal Party under Premier Gordon Campbell, marking a significant shift from the previous NDP government.

Key Facts

The 36th Parliament began on June 12, 1996, after the May 28, 1996, provincial election.
BC Liberal Party won 33 seats, becoming the Official Opposition; NDP retained power with 39 seats.
Glen Clark served as Premier until 1999, succeeded by Dan Miller and then Ujjal Dosanjh.
This Parliament introduced significant tax reforms and changes to health care funding.
It ended with the 2001 provincial election, leading to the 37th Parliament.

Overview

The 36th Parliament of British Columbia was a pivotal session in the province’s legislative history, beginning on June 12, 1996, after the general election held on May 28. It marked a transitional period in BC politics, as the New Democratic Party (NDP) government, led by Premier Glen Clark, continued in power despite strong gains by the BC Liberal Party.

This Parliament spanned five years, concluding just before the 2001 provincial election that ushered in a new era of BC Liberal dominance. Throughout its term, the 36th Parliament dealt with economic reforms, healthcare restructuring, and controversies surrounding political ethics and campaign financing.

First sitting date: The 36th Parliament officially convened on June 12, 1996, following the provincial election.
NDP majority: The New Democratic Party won 39 seats in the 79-member Legislative Assembly, securing a narrow majority.
BC Liberals as Opposition: The BC Liberal Party, led by Gordon Campbell, won 33 seats and formed the Official Opposition.
Green representation: The Green Party did not win any seats during this Parliament, though they increased their public visibility.
Leadership changes: Glen Clark resigned as Premier in 1999; he was succeeded by Dan Miller, then by Ujjal Dosanjh in 2000.

How It Works

The functioning of the 36th Parliament followed standard Westminster procedures, with the Lieutenant Governor representing the Crown and the Speaker presiding over legislative sessions. Bills were introduced, debated, and voted on by elected MLAs, with the governing party typically steering the legislative agenda.

Term: The 36th Parliament lasted from June 12, 1996, to May 16, 2001. Its full term ended with dissolution prior to the 2001 election.
Session count: It included five legislative sessions, with sittings spread between 1996 and 2001, reflecting typical parliamentary scheduling.
Bills passed: Over 200 government bills were introduced, including major legislation on taxation and healthcare delivery.
Committee work: Standing committees reviewed legislation, with the Finance Committee playing a key role in budget scrutiny.
Election timing: The next election was held on May 16, 2001, ending the 36th Parliament’s mandate.
MLA count: The Legislative Assembly consisted of 79 members, an increase from 75 in the previous Parliament due to redistribution.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 36th Parliament with the preceding and following sessions to highlight key political and structural shifts.

Parliament	Years Active	Governing Party	Seats (Govt)	Seats (Opposition)	Key Premier
35th	1991–1996	NDP	51	28 (Liberal)	Mike Harcourt
36th	1996–2001	NDP	39	33 (Liberal)	Glen Clark, Ujjal Dosanjh
37th	2001–2005	BC Liberal	77	2 (NDP)	Gordon Campbell
34th	1986–1991	NDP	47	28 (Social Credit)	Bill Vander Zalm
38th	2005–2009	BC Liberal	48	33 (NDP)	Gordon Campbell

This table illustrates the declining strength of the NDP majority during the 36th Parliament, which ultimately collapsed in the 2001 election. The rise of the BC Liberals under Gordon Campbell marked a realignment in BC politics, shifting from a social-democratic to a fiscally conservative agenda.

Why It Matters

The 36th Parliament is significant for shaping modern British Columbia’s political and economic trajectory. Though short-lived in terms of public confidence, its legislative actions and internal challenges laid the groundwork for major reforms in the next parliamentary term.

Tax policy changes: Introduced the BC Benefit, a targeted tax credit for low-income residents, influencing later social programs.
Healthcare reforms: Implemented changes to Medicare funding and hospital administration amid rising public concern.
Political scandals: The Fast Ferry scandal and CD-ROM donations controversy eroded public trust in the NDP government.
Leadership instability: Frequent changes in premiership weakened governance and contributed to the 2001 electoral defeat.
Opposition strategy: Gordon Campbell’s BC Liberals used this Parliament to build a platform for their 2001 landslide victory.
Electoral legacy: The 36th Parliament highlighted the volatility of BC’s political landscape, setting the stage for future realignments.

Ultimately, the 36th Parliament served as a turning point, demonstrating how economic policy, public accountability, and leadership stability directly influence electoral outcomes in British Columbia.