B.C. Premier John Horgan announced his new cabinet on Thursday with the expectation that the pandemic will occupy the duties of the majority of his ministers.
Horgan’s cabinet unveiling comes after the NDP won a majority government in last month’s election, capturing 57 of the 87 seats in B.C.’s legislature.
“The pandemic has turned the lives of British Columbians upside down,” Premier Horgan said.
“We have come a long way together, but we have much further to go. This skilled, diverse team is ready to continue our fight against COVID-19 and build an economic recovery that includes everyone.”
The new cabinet includes 20 ministers and four ministers of state. Gender representation also remains balanced in the latest collection of cabinet ministers.
The cabinet will be supported in its work by 13 parliamentary secretaries, with portfolios including Rural Development, Anti-Racism, and Technology & Innovation.
That compares to Horgan’s previous cabinet, which was 23 members, including himself.
Horgan says the new cabinet members will be tasked with continuing the government’s cross-ministry response to the pandemic, providing better health care for people and families, delivering affordability and security in B.C.’s communities, and investing in good jobs and livelihoods in a clean-energy future, among other things.
“I know this is a hard time for British Columbians. COVID-19 has brought challenges unlike any we’ve faced before,” Premier Horgan said. “By putting people first, investing in hospitals and diagnostics, supporting frontline workers and by everyone doing their part to fight this virus, we will make it through, together.”
There are some new faces in the cabinet as well as a few members changing positions as seven former NDP ministers did not seek re-election.
Horgan has recalled the legislature for a brief session and throne speech on Dec. 7 and plans to deliver $1,000 in pandemic relief promised to voters during the election campaign.
Below is a list of Horgan’s new cabinet ministers and parliamentary secretaries:
Premier: John Horgan
Attorney General (and Minister Responsible For Housing): David Eby
- Parliamentary Secretary – Anti-Racism Initiatives: Rachna Singh
Advanced Education and Skills Training: Anne Kang
- Parliamentary Secretary – Skills Training: Andrew Mercier
Agriculture, Food and Fisheries: Lana Popham
- Parliamentary Secretary – Fisheries and Aquaculture: Fin Donnelly
Citizens’ Services: Lisa Beare
Children and Family Development: Mitzi Dean
- Minister of State for Child Care: Katrina Chen
- Education: Jennifer Whiteside
Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (and Minister Responsible for The Consular Corps of British Columbia): Bruce Ralston
Environment and Climate Change Strategy (and Minister Responsible for Translink): George Heyman
- Parliamentary Secretary – Environment: Kelly Greene
Finance: Selina Robinson
- Parliamentary Secretary – Gender Equity: Grace Lore
Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development: Katrine Conroy
Minister of State for Lands, Natural Resource Operations: Nathan Cullen
- Parliamentary Secretary – Rural Development: Roly Russell
Health (and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs): Adrian Dix
Parliamentary Secretary – Seniors Services & Long Term Care: Mable Elmore
Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation: Murray Rankin
Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation: Ravi Kahlon
- Minister of State for Trade: George Chow
- Parliamentary Secretary – Technology & Innovation: Brenda Bailey
Labour: Harry Bains
- Parliamentary Secretary – New Economy: Adam Walker
Mental Health and Addictions: Sheila Malcolmson
Municipal Affairs: Josie Osborne
Public Safety and Solicitor General: Mike Farnworth
- Parliamentary Secretary – Emergency Preparedness: Jennifer Rice
Social Development and Poverty Reduction: Nicholas Simons
- Parliamentary Secretary – Community Development & Non-Profits: Niki Sharma
- Parliamentary Secretary – Accessibility: Dan Coulter
Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport: Melanie Mark
- Parliamentary Secretary – Arts and Film: Bob D’Eith
Transportation and Infrastructure: Rob Fleming
- Minister of State for Infrastructure: Bowinn Ma
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