Premier David Eby Monday (Nov. 18) unveiled his new cabinet during a ceremony held at Government House, the official residence of Lt. Governor Janet Austin.
After winning a bare majority in the last provincial election Eby unveiled a new cabinet that mixes familiar names in key portfolios like housing, but also changes course in other key areas. Prominent among the latter are health (with long-time health minister Adrian Dix moving out of that portfolio after almost eight years) and public safety (where Mike Farnworth also moves on from his long-time role of Solicitor General).
Eby used the occasion to re-state his promise that his new cabinet would bring down costs for families, strengthen health care, make communities safe, and grow the economy.
"At a time when there is a lot of worry and uncertainty about the future, British Columbians have asked us to work together and get things done that make a real difference in their daily lives," Eby said.
Familiar Faces in New Jobs
Perhaps the most significant shake-up concerns the Ministry of Health, which now belongs to Josie Osborne. She essentially switched jobs with Dix, who is now responsible for energy, under the newly created Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions.
Brenda Bailey, meanwhile, is Minister of Finance, moving from Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation.
Garry Begg, whose narrow victory in Surrey-Guildford helped secure the NDP's bare majority, moves into the senior cabinet role of Public Safety and Solicitor General, previously held by Farnworth, now the Minister of Transportation. Farnworth lost his title of Deputy Premier, but retains his role as House Leader.
Bowinn Ma, who previously headed B.C.'s response to various emergencies, returns to cabinet, but this time as Minister of Infrastructure. Returning MLA Kelly Greene joins takes over from Ma as Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.
Jennifer Whiteside, who previously handled mental health and addictions, returns to cabinet as Minister of Labour.
Lisa Beare is back in cabinet, this time as Education and Child Care Minister. Her old job in Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills goes to Anne Kang, who previously served as Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Lana Popham returns to her previous role as Minister for Agriculture and Food, a position she held under late premier John Horgan. Her previous cabinet portfolio of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport goes to Spencer Chandra Herbert.
Rick Glumac, who served as Parliamentary Secretary for Technology in Eby's first cabinet, returns to cabinet, but as Minister of State for Trade, a position previously held by Jagrup Brar, who will serve as Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals.
Ravi Parmar moves up to Forests Minister.
Britney Anderson, meanwhile, joins cabinet in the newly created role of Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities. Eby has promised to that his cabinet would bridge the urban-rural divide and Anderson, who represents a riding in the Kootenays, will work directly in Eby's office.
New Faces in New Jobs
Christine Boyle will serve as Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
Also holding ministerial portfolios as first-time MLAs are Tamara Davidson as Minister of the Environment and Parks and Diane Gibson as Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. Randene Neill, meanwhile, will serve as Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.
Other first MLAs in cabinet include Jodie Wickens as Minister of State for Child Care and Children and Youth with Support Needs and Terry Yung as Minister of State for Community Safety and Integrated Services.
Familiar Faces in Familiar Jobs
Niki Sharma retains her previous title of Attorney-General, but adds the role of Deputy Premier to her duties.
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon returns as Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister, Grace Lore returns as Minister of Children and Family Development and Shelia Malcolmson returns as Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. George Chow returns as Minister of Citizen's Services.
Overall, the cabinet includes 24 full ministries (including Eby's), four ministers of state and 14 parliamentary secretaries. Of note for rural B.C. is the presence of Harwinder Sandhu as Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Steve Morrisette as Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development.
More to come...
