With B.C. Premier John Horgan naming his NDP majority cabinet ministers last Thursday (Nov. 26), Interim BC Liberal Party leader Shirley Bond has announced her caucus' critic roles.
Yesterday (Nov. 30), the MLA for Prince George-Valemount revealed who will go head-to-head with Horgan and the BC NDP.
“As the Official Opposition, we have a responsibility to make sure this government deals with the critical issues facing British Columbians. Our caucus represents people from all across the province and we will ensure that their voices are heard in Victoria,” Bond said in a news release.
“It is essential that the government’s approach to COVID-19, from a health and economic perspective, is transparent and effective so that all British Columbians can have confidence in the future of our province.”
There are 28 members who have been assigned portfolios; Bond and Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Mike Morris has also been named to the team.
Morris has been re-assigned as the opposition critic for Public Safety and Solicitor General.
“I’m very happy to be returning to my role as the Opposition Critic for Public Safety and Solicitor General," he said in a news release today (Dec. 1).
"We live in an age where the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have combined to create a whole new list of challenges to law enforcement and public safety.
“I am glad to be continuing in this role and trying to make British Columbia a safer place for everyone.”
Morris is now serving his third term in the B.C. legislature while also having an extensive resume in law enforcement, something Bond said was why she asked him to retain the role.
“We all know and appreciate that Mike has a tremendous background in law enforcement and he is passionate about the work that needs to be done," she said.
"That’s why I have asked him to continue in his role so that he can provide his important perspective and leadership in this key portfolio.
"I'm proud to work with such a talented team of passionate MLAs who will use their diverse skills and experience to ask tough questions, raise important issues, and work hard on behalf of their constituents."
The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone in BC is paramount and will guide me in my role as critic in the large and diverse Public Safety & Solicitor General portfolio. pic.twitter.com/PIC5M5uYb2
— Mike Morris (@MikeMorrisforBC) November 30, 2020
Bond herself will also hold a portfolio in the cabinet, remaining the critic for Seniors Services and Long Term Care as COVID-19 cases and deaths surge throughout care homes in B.C.
Bond officially won a sixth term in Victoria, claiming 55.62 per cent of the popular vote while finishing with 9,703 votes during the provincial election on Oct. 24.
Morris retained his seat for Prince George-Mackenzie after claiming 50.80 per cent of the popular vote. He finished with 8,543 votes.
Former interim leader of the party, Andrew Wilkinson, announced he would step down once a new leader had been chosen. On Nov. 21, Wilkinson announced he was stepping down immediately, which meant the party needed to select a new interim leader almost right away.
Bond was then chosen to take the reigns from Wilkinson on Nov. 23.
Our BC Liberal Caucus is excited to announce MLA @ShirleyBond as the Interim Leader of the Official Opposition. Together, we are looking forward to working on behalf of British Columbians across the province to ensure their voices are heard in Victoria. #BCpoli pic.twitter.com/A8cE09UoW2
— BC Liberal Caucus (@BCLiberalCaucus) November 23, 2020
“I appreciate the confidence and trust my colleagues have placed in me as we work together to hold John Horgan and the NDP government to account in the coming months,” she said that afternoon.
“I want to thank Andrew Wilkinson for his service as leader over the past several years and I look forward to continuing to work with him and our entire team of new and returning MLAs to present a positive vision for this province.”
Another northern B.C. MLA has also retained his portfolio within the party.
Bond has chosen John Rustad, MLA of Nechako Lakes, to be the critic for Forests, Lands and Natural Resources.
I appreciate your willingness to continue in this important role @JohnRustad4BC Thank you for the work you do as part of our @BCLiberalCaucus team. https://t.co/TihuzWXxmm
— Shirley Bond (@shirleybond) December 1, 2020
The full cabinet is as follows:
- Advanced Education, Skills Training & Sport – Coralee Oakes
- Agriculture & Food – Ian Paton
- Attorney General – Mike de Jong
- Citizens’ Services – Bruce Banman
- Children, Family Development & Childcare – Karin Kirkpatrick
- Columbia Basin Initiatives – Doug Clovechok
- Energy, Mines & Low Carbon Innovation – Tom Shypitka
- Education – Jackie Tegart
- Environment & Climate Change Strategy – Ellis Ross
- Finance – Mike Bernier
- Fisheries, Aquaculture & BC Ferries – Jordan Sturdy
- Forests, Lands, & Natural Resources – John Rustad
- Gender Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion – Stephanie Cadieux
- Health – Renee Merrifield
- Housing – Ben Stewart
- Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation – Peter Milobar
- Jobs, Economic Recovery & Innovation – Todd Stone
- Labour – Greg Kyllo
- Mental Health & Addictions – Trevor Halford
- Municipal Affairs – Dan Ashton
- Public Safety & Solicitor General – Mike Morris
- Rural Development – Lorne Doerksen
- Seniors Services & Long Term Care – Shirley Bond
- Social Development & Poverty Reduction – Dan Davies
- Tourism, Arts & Culture, & Anti-Racism Initiatives – Teresa Wat
- Transportation, Infrastructure & TransLink – Michael Lee
Caucus Officers are:
- Interim Leader – Shirley Bond
- House Leader – Peter Milobar
- Caucus Chair – Stephanie Cadieux
- Caucus Whip – Doug Clovechok
- Deputy Caucus Whip – Greg Kyllo
- Assistant Deputy Speaker – Norm Letnick
Congratulations @shirleybond on becoming interim leader of the BC Liberals. As an MLA since 2001, she has an incredible amount of experience. Looking forward to working with her in her role as leader of the opposition to support British Columbians through the pandemic and beyond.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) November 23, 2020
Premier John Horgan's cabinet is as follows:
- Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing - David Eby
- Parliamentary Secretary - Anti-Racism Initiatives - Rachna Singh
- Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training - Anne Kang
- Parliamentary Secretary - Skills Training - Andrew Mercier
- Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries - Lana Popham
- Parliamentary Secretary - Fisheries and Agriculture - Fin Donnelly
- Minister of Citizens' Services - Lisa Beare
- Minister of Children and Family Development - Mitzi Dean
- Minister of State for Child Care - Katrina Chen
- Minister of Education - Jennifer Whiteside
- Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (and Minister Responsible for the Consular Corps of British Columbia) - Bruce Aalston
- Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (and Minister Responsible for TransLink) - George Heyman
- Parliamentary Secretary - Environment - Kelly Greene
- Minister of Finance - Selina Robinson
- Parliamentary Secretary - Gender Equality - Grace Lore
- Minister of Lands, Natural Resource Operations - Nathan Cullen
- Parliamentary Secretary - Rural Development - Roly Russell
- Minister of Health (and Minister Responsible for Franchophone Affairs) - Adrian Dix
- Parliamentary Secretary - Seniors Services and Long Term Care - Mable Elmore
- Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation - Murray Rankin
- Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation - Ravi Kahlon
- Minister of State for Trade - George Chow
- Parliamentary Secretary - Technology and Innovation - Brenda Bailey
- Minister of Labour - Harry Bains
- Parliamentary Secretary - New Economy - Adam Walker
- Minister of Mental Health and Addictions - Sheila Malcolmson
- Minister of Municipal Affairs - Josie Osborne
- Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General - Mike Farnworth
- Parliamentary Secretary - Emergency Prepardness - Jennifer Rice
- Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction - Nicholas Simmons
- Parliamentary Secretary - Community Development and Non-Profits - Niki Sharma
- Parliamentary Secretary - Accessibility - Dan Coulter
- Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport - Melanie Mark
- Parliamentary Secretary - Arts and Film - Bob D'Eith
- Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure - Rob Fleming
- Minister of State for Infrastructre - Bowinn Ma
A brief legislature session is scheduled to begin on Monday (Dec. 7).
