Prince George, B.C. – Labour groups have reacted to last night’s election result in British Columbia.

“I am a little bit surprised,” said Aaron Ekman, secretary-treasurer with the BC Federation of Labour. “To be perfectly frank with you I didn’t peg the NDP’s chances as high as their polling last night.”

He added he’s hopeful the divided legislature will be good for working people in this province.

“Well, minority governments, if that’s what ends up happening, have traditionally been better for working people,” said Ekman. “It’s through minority governments that things like universal health care was established, unemployment insurance, those kinds of things federally.”

But he acknowledged we haven’t had a minority in B.C. for over five decades so the jury will be out.

“A minority government is not a horrible situation for any party or anybody in B.C. Whether you’re a working person or an employer – I think minority governments are good because parties are forced to cooperate.”

Richard Giroday, president of the Prince George and District Teachers’ Association, says it’s far too soon to know what it will mean for public education.

“It’s pretty hard to comment on that. I do know an NDP government would be a much more favourable government to champion public education,” he said.

“It’ll be interesting to see what happens. If the NDP and Greens form a coalition – that could have good possibilities in the long-term.”