A flood of new faces arrived at the British Columbia legislature on Wednesday for the first NDP caucus meeting since the election. Eighteen of them – more than a third of the 47 newly elected deputies – are new to their positions.

“We’ve been following each other’s campaigns, so it’s really nice to be in the room together now,” said Oak Bay-Gordon Head MP-elect Diana Gibson.

In the room, the man of the moment was Garry Begg. Subject to an ongoing judicial recount, his late surge in Surrey-Guildford, fueled by mail-in and mail-in ballots, catapulted him to a victory in the 47th seat, giving the NDP the narrowest majority and earning him a new nickname.

“The Comeback Kid,” Begg said with a wide smile Wednesday.

The NDP caucus is notable for its composition, with a record 65 percent women, part of a British Columbia legislature that, for the first time, has more women than men.

“Our entire caucus reflects the diversity of British Columbia and that is very important,” said Grace Lore, MP for Victoria-Beacon Hill.

It is also notable because it will result in a large number of new ministers being selected by Prime Minister David Eby.

“I’m glad it’s not me who has to do it and I’m glad someone else is doing it,” laughed Delta North MLA Ravi Kahlon.

Some familiar faces, including Kahlon, who served as housing minister in the previous government, and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, are sure to return to cabinet, but many ministers left with five defeats in recent elections and seven others who have not done so. I will not run again, which means that 12 of the 27 ministers are gone.

“(This) really is what a generational shift is within the NDP caucus and potentially within cabinet,” said David Black, a professor at Royal Roads University.

And with such a slim one-seat majority, NDP members know they can’t miss important votes and must stay united.

“There is the added pressure of making sure that we stay united and that we are here as a united front,” said Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MP Lisa Beare.