A record number of rookie provincial politicians are about to arrive in the British Columbia legislature, looking to make positive contributions to the province and trying to find the toilets in the 127-year-old building.

Fifty-seven new members from three parties, the New Democrats, BC Conservatives and Greens, were elected to serve their first term in BC’s 93-seat legislature last month.

The number of new faces could be 56 if New Democrat Jodie Wickens is not counted. She was elected in the 2016 by-election but was later defeated in the 2017 provincial election.

British Columbia voters elected 49 women, the first majority female legislature in the province’s history.

The halls of the legislature exuded a first-day-of-school atmosphere last week as Premier David Eby’s New Democrats, including his cast of newly elected MPs, gathered for their first caucus meeting just hours after the final count from Elections BC confirmed a one-seat majority. government for the NDP, pending two judicial recounts.

There were smiles, handshakes and hugs as the 47 newly elected Democrats, including 18 new members, congratulated each other.

“It was definitely a really great feeling to be in the room with our caucus partners, meeting everybody,” said rookie Rep. Diana Gibson, who won the Oak Bay-Gordon Head riding previously held by retiring New Democrat Murray Rankin.

“It’s definitely different going into your first day of work as an MLA,” Gibson said, admitting there was a first-day-of-school feeling “except for an incredible amount of honor and responsibility.”

Of the new NDP caucus, 29 are returning members of the legislature and 18 are newly elected, while 31 of them are women and 16 are men.

Gibson, an entrepreneur, business leader and social planning advocate who has never held elected office, said the mix of new and experienced caucus members can produce results.

“This balance creates a new kind of energy,” she said. “The new caucus coming in has incredible power on the bench and very good skills.”

Debra Toporowski, newly elected New Democrat for the Cowichan Valley, who was previously elected to local councils for the Cowichan Tribes and the North Cowichan community, said going into the legislature made everything “more real.”

“It felt like home,” she said. “I felt very comfortable. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

But the layout of the legislature building will take some getting used to, said Toporowski, who needed directions to the restroom.

“Yes, I felt very welcome by the staff,” she said.

Gibson said navigating the chambers of the legislature will take some practice.

“Every hallway looks exactly like the last. But the staff were fantastic in giving directions,” she said.

BC Conservative Leader John Rustad said he expects his party’s caucus to be sworn in on Nov. 12, days after the last recount.

Elections BC said it will hold judicial recounts in the Surrey-Guildford and Kelowna Center districts on November 7 and 8.

The BC Conservatives elected 44 members, 26 men and 18 women, pending recounts.

“A year and a half ago we had, what, two percent in the polls and no deputies,” Rustad said. “It is quite an achievement for our party. I am very proud of the team that was chosen and formed.”

MPs and party staff have been attending virtual orientation sessions over the past week.

The Legislature has also scheduled two days of in-person orientation sessions for Nov. 14 and 15, which will bring all 93 lawmakers from the three parties together in the legislative chamber to take part in a mock session.

“This is an exciting time for us,” said Legislative Clerk Kate Ryan-Lloyd. “We are happy to assist members with all their needs as they settle into their new offices and assume their new responsibilities.”

But while many new MPs prepare to settle into the legislature, others are packing up and moving.

Staff and members of the former Official Opposition BC United were to leave their offices by Friday evening to make way for the BC Conservatives.

“It feels surreal,” said former BC United press secretary Andrew Reeve. “I’ve been a part of this building for almost eight years of my life. Next week is a place that is no longer my home.”

BC United leader Kevin Falcon suspended the party’s campaign in late August and urged party members and candidates to support the BC Conservatives in a move to prevent a split center-right vote that would benefit the NDP.

Eby said his early priorities involve swearing in a new cabinet, recalling the legislature for a short session and electing a Speaker.

He said the date of the meeting has not yet been set.