The B.C. Liberal governments bill to ban union and corporate donations to political parties was defeated immediately upon introduction this afternoon.

NDP and Green MLAs outvoted the government 44-42, which kills the Liberals attempt to emulate their opponents in supporting campaign finance reform.

Earlier, NDP Leader John Horgan walked into the legislature with a formal non-confidence motion designed to topple the government. It has not yet been voted on.

Government house leader Mike de Jong said he expects the confidence vote to take place Thursday, on support of last weeks Throne Speech.

Hours before the defeat, de Jong was hopeful of passage, even though the government has rejected similar attempts by the NDP six times in the last 12 years.

There seems to be a convergence of opinion in favor of doing this, he said. This government has been told repeatedly by the Opposition that its something that can be done in a day and that theyre willing to do it in a day, so lets test that proposition.

De Jong said it remains to be seen whether the NDP and B.C. Green Party will consent to have the bill presented.

A surprise Liberal bill to amend the status of the B.C. Green was also defeated, with the NDP and Greens determined to focus only on the confidence vote.

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NDP, Greens defeat Liberal political donations bill - Times Colonist