Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C.'s new cabinet to be sworn in Nov. 18 after this week's judicial recounts

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Nov, 2024 04:46 PM
  • B.C.'s new cabinet to be sworn in Nov. 18 after this week's judicial recounts

British Columbia's new cabinet is expected to be sworn in on Nov. 18, almost a month after the provincial election that gave Premier David Eby's New Democrats the slimmest of majorities, pending recounts.

A statement from Eby's office Wednesday said the swearing-in dates of cabinet and members of the legislature have been set based on the judicial recounts in three ridings and reporting information from Elections BC.

Eby is conducting interviews this week with every member of the NDP caucus ahead of the cabinet swearing in.

The 47 New Democrats, including Eby, give the party a one-seat majority in the legislature, pending recounts.

Of the NDP's new caucus, 29 are returning members of the legislature and 18 are newly elected.

Among those new to the provincial government are: Tamara Davidson, of North Coast-Haida Gwaii, a Council of the Haida Nation elected representative; Steve Morissette, of Kootenay-Monashee, a former mayor of Fruitvale; and Randene Neill, of Powell River-Sunshine Coast, a former Global BC broadcaster.

Some of the re-elected New Democrats who hold cabinet posts are: Health Minister Adrian Dix, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon and Attorney General Niki Sharma.

Among the re-elected New Democrats who were not in the government's cabinet or held parliamentary secretary positions are: Brittny Anderson, Kootenay Central; Harwinder Sandhu, Vernon-Lumby; and Ravi Parmar, Langford-Highlands.

Eby said in the statement that the judicial recounts taking place Thursday and Friday will ensure every vote is counted. 

After those recounts, he said B.C. residents want to see "urgent action" on priorities including affordability and housing, health care, and building a strong economy.

The first step will be swearing in the new cabinet at a ceremony in Victoria, where he will present his recommendations to Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, he said.

The statement said a transition team co-chaired by Eby's special counsel on Indigenous reconciliation, Doug White, and Shannon Salter, the premier's deputy minister and head of the public service, will make recommendations about selection of ministers and the formation of ministries in the new government.

Newly elected members of the legislature are set to be sworn in and formally invited to take their seats before cabinet's swearing in, it said.

The Opposition caucus and B.C. Green Party MLAs are scheduled to be sworn in on Nov. 12, while government caucus MLAs will be sworn in the next day.

MORE National ARTICLES

Mail-in ballot figures coming for each B.C. riding, may make election outcome clearer

Mail-in ballot figures coming for each B.C. riding, may make election outcome clearer
Elections BC is expected to provide a breakdown today of the number of uncounted mail-in and absentee ballots in each of British Columbia's 93 ridings, potentially making clearer the outcome of the weekend's nail-biting vote. There are about 65,000 of the ballots to count between tomorrow and Monday, which could solidify results from election night, or may even flip some ridings. 

Mail-in ballot figures coming for each B.C. riding, may make election outcome clearer

One charged in arson: Surrey RCMP

One charged in arson: Surrey RCMP
Surrey R-C-M-P say a 29-year-old man has been charged with one count of arson causing property damage after a fire in the Newton neighbourhood last week. The Mounties say they were called to help in the response to the residential structure fire, and found firefighters were detaining a man at the scene.

One charged in arson: Surrey RCMP

Stabbing in Downtown core: VPD

Stabbing in Downtown core: VPD
Police in Vancouver say they're investigating a stabbing in the city's downtown core. Constable Tania Visintin says the victim was found at the intersection of West Hastings and Richards Streets, but it appears the stabbing happened elsewhere.

Stabbing in Downtown core: VPD

Crucial B.C. election recounts won't start until Sunday afternoon

Crucial B.C. election recounts won't start until Sunday afternoon
Voting officials say recounts in two ridings that could determine the outcome of British Columbia's election won't start until Sunday afternoon — and it won't be until Monday before the makeup of the legislature is finalized. The updated timeline provided by Elections BC says results of the Surrey City Centre recount will be posted on its website on Sunday when it is complete, while the outcome from Juan De Fuca—Malahat will be posted when it is finished the next day.

Crucial B.C. election recounts won't start until Sunday afternoon

Joly at Paris summit on Lebanon as Canadian donation-matching goal falling short

Joly at Paris summit on Lebanon as Canadian donation-matching goal falling short
France hosted dozens of countries at the summit on Thursday, which it said had raised US$1 billion in pledges for Lebanon. A fifth of that is for the country's military while the rest is targeted at humanitarian aid.

Joly at Paris summit on Lebanon as Canadian donation-matching goal falling short

More rain in B.C. forecast, although 'nothing' compared to atmospheric river

More rain in B.C. forecast, although 'nothing' compared to atmospheric river
The District of North Vancouver is getting ready for another bout of rain after an atmospheric river weather system drenched B.C.'s south coast last weekend, triggering a mudslide and localized flooding that killed at least three people. The North Shore mountains could see another 75 millimetres of rain this weekend, and Lisa Muri, a councillor with the district, says staff are preparing by cleaning up culverts and placing sandbags throughout the community.

More rain in B.C. forecast, although 'nothing' compared to atmospheric river