Parliament of British Columbia

The Parliament of British Columbia is made of two elements: the Queen of Canada in Right of British Columbia, represented by the Lieutenant Governor, 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 Executive Council of British Columbia. The premier acts as British Columbia's head of government, while the Queen of Canada in Right of British Columbia acts as its head of state and is represented by the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. Before 1903, candidates in British Columbia elections were not affiliated with political parties.