National

B.C. finance minister out in cabinet shuffle

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Dec, 2022 01:10 PM

VICTORIA - British Columbia Premier David Eby has upended his cabinet, bringing in new faces from the backbench and replacing senior cabinet ministers, including finance minister Selina Robinson.

Katrine Conroy, the former forests minister, will take over the finance portfolio, while Robinson moves to post-secondary education and future skills.

Robinson announced just last month that the government had a surplus windfall of $5.7 billion dollars, allowing Eby to spend on his priorities of housing, health care and public safety.

With tears in her eyes, Niki Sharma stepped up to sign on as the new attorney general, taking over Eby’s job.

Join us as BC's new cabinet is sworn in by Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. https://t.co/NuFDXC6kFD
— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) December 7, 2022

Eby says he couldn't be more excited about getting down to work.

He says the new cabinet represents the diversity of the province, with people who bring incredible experience to the table.

Eby says it's a strong team that will take on big challenges.

"They're accepting this responsibility at a time when we're facing significant head winds. Global inflation is driving up costs of essentials for families, like groceries. Global economic uncertainty is raising anxiety, health care systems across Canada are under strain, and B.C. is no exception."

Ravi Kahlon, who was co-chair of Eby’s leadership campaign, will take on the new Housing Ministry.

It is an honour to be named as British Columbia’s Minister of Housing and Government House Leader.

Premier @Dave_Eby has made housing his number one priority. I’m ready to get to work to deliver for the people of BC. pic.twitter.com/ySftFAriBs
— Ravi Kahlon (@KahlonRav) December 7, 2022

Rachna Singh, a former Parliamentary secretary, is the education minister, while Bowinn Ma has been elevated to emergency management and climate readiness.

Those keeping their jobs include Adrian Dix in health, George Heyman with environment, Mitzi Dean as the minister of children and family development, Rob Fleming in transport and Harry Bains in Labour.

Here is the complete list of British Columbia Premier David Eby's ministers & Parliamentary Secretaries following his first major cabinet shuffle since taking over as leader:

Agriculture and Food — Pam Alexis (new to cabinet)

Attorney General — Niki Sharma (new to cabinet)

Children and Family Development — Mitzi Dean (unchanged)

Citizens’ Services — Lisa Beare

Education and Child Care — Rachna Singh (new to cabinet)

Minister of state for child care — Grace Lore (new to cabinet)

Emergency Management and Climate Readiness — Bowinn Ma

Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation — Josie Osborne

Environment and Climate Change Strategy — George Heyman (unchanged)

Finance (includes Columbia River Treaty) — Katrine Conroy

Forests and minister responsible for consular corps. — Bruce Ralston

Health and minister responsible for Francophone affairs — Adrian Dix (unchanged)

Housing and government house leader — Ravi Kahlon

Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation — Murray Rankin

Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation — Brenda Bailey (new to cabinet)

Minister of state for trade — Jagrup Brar (new to cabinet)

Labour — Harry Bains (unchanged)

Mental Health and Addictions — Jennifer Whiteside

Municipal Affairs — Anne Kang

Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills (includes immigration/foreign credentials) — Selina Robinson

Minister of state for workforce development — Andrew Mercier (new to cabinet)

Public Safety and Solicitor General (ICBC) — Mike Farnworth (unchanged)

Social Development and Poverty Reduction — Sheila Malcolmson

Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport — Lana Popham

Transportation and Infrastructure (BC Transit and Translink) — Rob Fleming (unchanged)

Minister of state for infrastructure and transit — Dan Coulter (new to cabinet)

Water, Land and Resource Stewardship — Nathan Cullen

List of Parliamentary Secretaries:

Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives: Mable Elmore

Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness: Jennifer Rice

Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainable Economy: Adam Walker

Parliamentary Secretary for Environment: Aman Singh

Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity: Kelli Paddon

Parliamentary Secretary for Forests: Doug Routley

Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors' Services and Long-Term Care: Harwinder Sandhu

Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development: Roly Russell

Parliamentary Secretary for Labour: Janet Routledge

Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility: Susie Chant

Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development and Non-profits: Megan Dykeman

Parliamentary Secretary for Arts and Film: Bob D’Eith

Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism and Premier’s Special Advisor on Youth: Brittny Anderson

Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture: Kelly Greene

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