Premier David Eby and his cabinet following the swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, November 18, 2024. (Chad Hipolito/The Canadian Press)
Courtney Dickson, Katie DeRosa · CBC News · Posted: Nov 18, 2024
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Several MLAs who led high-profile ministries return to their seats. Others take on new portfolios
A new slate of 27 B.C. cabinet ministers has been sworn in, including some veterans and others who are new to provincial politics.
On Tuesday, Lt.-Gov Janet Austin reappointed David Eby premier of British Columbia and swore in 27 cabinet ministers and ministers of state.
“This job of serving in government and serving on the executive council is an awesome and serious responsibility. British Columbians call on us to do it with integrity,” Eby said in his speech Monday.
“The good news is, we don’t have to do it on our own. We’re supported by family and friends.”
Several MLAs who led high-profile ministries return to their seats, while others will take on new portfolios within cabinet.
Among the changes is the move of longtime health minister Adrian Dix to the position of minister for energy and climate solutions. Meanwhile the previous energy minister, Josie Osborne, has been moved to Dix’s old position in health.
Brenda Bailey moves into the crucial finance portfolio, while Garry Begg got one of the biggest cheers when he was introduced by Eby as the new solicitor general and public safety minister.
Begg — who Eby introduced by the nickname “Landslide” in a nod to his 22-vote victory in Surrey-Guildford that gave the government its one-seat majority — moves from the backbench to take over from Mike Farnworth, who shifts to transportation and transit.
With just 15 of the previous government’s ministers re-elected, a number of cabinet newcomers have been appointed.
This cabinet includes 23 ministers and four ministers of state, the same size as the previous one. Eby pointed out that women make up the majority of this cabinet, with 16 women appointed to ministerial positions.
The new NDP government holds 47 of 93 seats in the legislature. NDP MLAs were sworn into office on Nov. 13.
Returning ministers
Attorney General Niki Sharma will continue in the role for the next four years. She has also been promoted to the role of deputy premier.
Grace Lore and George Chow will continue with their work as minister of children and family development and minister of citizen’s services, respectively. Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction Sheila Malcolmson will also maintain her position.
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon will reassume the housing portfolio but will also take on a little extra as the new minister of housing and municipal affairs.
Lana Popham, a farmer and small business owner who served as minister of tourism in Eby’s previous cabinet, has been appointed minister of agriculture and food, a title she held from 2017 until 2022.
The former Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has been split into two: former minister of emergency preparedness Bowinn Ma will handle the infrastructure portfolio, and former solicitor general Mike Farnworth will take over as minister of transportation and transit. Farnworth has also been appointed House leader.
Meanwhile, former tech executive Brenda Bailey will inherit a $9 billion deficit, the largest in provincial history, as the incoming finance minister.
Former minister of post-secondary education Lisa Beare is making the move to the Ministry of Education and Child Care, where she’ll handle grade school policies and issues like $10-a-day child care. Replacing her is former municipal affairs minister Anne Kang.
The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions is no longer a standalone ministry. Its former minister, Jennifer Whiteside, has been named minister of labour. Mental health and addictions-related matters will now fall under the Ministry of Health, Eby said, adding that there will be a parliamentary secretary of mental health and addiction.
Longtime Vancouver West-End MLA Spencer Chandra-Herbert, who has served as deputy Speaker of the House, will take on the tourism, arts and culture portfolio.
Jagrup Brar, who previously served as minister of state for trade, will take on a new portfolio dedicated solely to mining in B.C
