Close X
Thursday, November 7, 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

B.C. smashes advance voting record with a million ballots already cast

B.C. smashes advance voting record with a million ballots already cast
Elections BC says a record number of British Columbians have already cast their ballots in advance voting before Saturday's provincial election. The elections body says just over a million people have voted, representing more than 28 per cent of all registered electors and putting the province on track for big overall turnout.

B.C. smashes advance voting record with a million ballots already cast

Here are some facts about British Columbia's housing market

Here are some facts about British Columbia's housing market
Here are some statistics about housing in B.C. from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's 2024 Rental Market Report, issued in January, and the B.C. Real Estate Association's August 2024 report.

Here are some facts about British Columbia's housing market

No shortage when it comes to B.C. housing policies, as Eby, Rustad offer clear choice

No shortage when it comes to B.C. housing policies, as Eby, Rustad offer clear choice
David Eby's New Democrats say the housing market on its own will not deliver the homes people need, while B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad says government is part of the problem and B.C. needs to "unleash" the potential of the private sector.

No shortage when it comes to B.C. housing policies, as Eby, Rustad offer clear choice

Canada-India tensions spark travel concerns among members of Indian diaspora

Canada-India tensions spark travel concerns among members of Indian diaspora
In September of last year, India temporarily suspended visa services for Canadian citizens after Canada said there were “credible allegations” of Indian involvement in the killing of Sikh temple leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. 

Canada-India tensions spark travel concerns among members of Indian diaspora

Supreme Court won't hear spy service analyst's appeal over discrimination case

Supreme Court won't hear spy service analyst's appeal over discrimination case
The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to hear the case of a Canadian Security Intelligence Service employee who filed a discrimination lawsuit against the spy agency. In March, the Federal Court of Appeal upheld a ruling that found Sameer Ebadi should have followed the internal grievance procedures available to him. 

Supreme Court won't hear spy service analyst's appeal over discrimination case

PBO projects deficit exceeded $40B pledge, Liberals won't say if they'll meet target

PBO projects deficit exceeded $40B pledge, Liberals won't say if they'll meet target
The federal government likely failed to keep its deficit below the promised $40-billion cap in the last fiscal year, the parliamentary budget officer said on Thursday. The budget watchdog estimates in its latest economic and fiscal outlook that the federal government posted a $46.8 billion deficit for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

PBO projects deficit exceeded $40B pledge, Liberals won't say if they'll meet target