Newly-selected NDP leader Adrian Dix has selected his shadow cabinet, giving each of his three northern B.C. MLAs a job.
Two of those MLAs -- Skeena MLA Robin Austin and North Coast MLA Gary Coons -- were members of the baker's dozen instrumental in ousting former leader Carole James. Stikine MLA Doug Donaldson was also named to the shadow cabinet.
All three ridings held by the NDP in northern B.C. are located west of Prince George.
"With it's collective expertise and energy, our team will present a clear contrast to the B.C. Liberal government that is out of ideas and out of touch," said Dix.
Austin was named the education critic and chair of the social policy committee, while Coons was named B.C. Ferries and coastal communities critic. Donaldson was named deputy finance and energy critic, as well as chair of the sustainable economic development committee.
Donaldson noted that two internal committees, chaired by himself and Austin, play important roles in establishing policy on jobs, the environment, education and health.
"It's fairly influential as far as issues that people care about out there," said Donaldson. "So, I think that shows we have a pretty big voice at the table from the northern areas."
Donaldson said their first tasks -- now that the legislature is sitting again -- will be to debate the budget and contest newly-selected Premier Christy Clark's record.
He said he's particularly concerned over her statements on the proposed $800-million Prosperity Mine, calling for it to proceed when it has been rejected by the federal government.
Donaldson said it's time to create a more robust environmental assessment process that also acts as a stepping stone to First Nations consultations. Without it, natural resource projects will continue to be impeded, he said.
Dix placed his former leadership rivals in top critic positions in the shadow cabinet.
Second-place finisher Mike Farnworth, supported by Donaldson, was given the health critic portfolio, but he will no longer act as house leader.
Third-place finisher John Horgan, supported by Austin and Coons, will serve as the NDP house leader, and retains his post as energy critic.
Dix dismissed suggestions that Farnworth's removal from his previous post as house leader and public safety critic could be viewed as a demotion. The house leader position includes a salary boost.
"My first question when I looked on the critic's side was who could be an outstanding health critic and take over and put his or her own stamp on one of the most important ministries in government?" said Dix. "I thought it was Mike Farnworth. He's going to be my lead critic."
B.C. politicians returned to the legislature Wednesday, where the Clark government introduced legislation that recognizes the planned mail-in ballot on the harmonized sales tax and replaces an initiative vote with a referendum.
The HST vote promises to be one of the biggest issues facing the Liberal government in the next few months. The vote was moved up to June 24 -- although voting is allowed into July -- from September.
Dix has promised to play a leading role in fighting the harmonized sales tax in the June vote.
Donaldson said although British Columbians may have been overwhelmed by the two provincial leadership races and the federal election, he expected they will turn their attention to the HST soon.
- With Canadian Press
