David Eby Cabinet maker

Premier David Eby announce his selections as members
of his cabinet in a swearing in ceremony in Victoria today

The newly installed Premier of British Columbia revealed his choices for a new cabinet today, the official swearing in ceremony taking place this morning in Victoria.

Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin administered the oaths of office to the new group that will assist the Premier in putting his political vision forward in the year or more ahead until the next provincial election.

The new cabinet includes 23 ministers and four ministers of state. Gender representation remains balanced. The cabinet will be supported in its work by 14 parliamentary secretaries.

Following the oaths of office, Premier David Eby announced the names of those that made the grade towards advancement or transfer  as well as for those who have held on to the same portfolios from the John Horgan Government.

Some are familiar names in familiar portfolios, while others are new to the cabinet table or have taken on new challenges.

Among the biggest change of the day, a new Finance Minister in Katrine Conroy, who takes over the post from Selina Robinson who shifts over to the portfolio of Post Secondary Education and future skills.

Also of some significant importance, the promotion of Niki Sharma from Parliamentary Secretary duties to serve as the new Attorney General for British Columbia.

Nathan Cullen signing his oath of office in his new role as 
Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (fisheries)

Of note for the Northwest from the list is the placement of Nathan Cullen who leaves Municipal Affairs to take on the post of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (fisheries). 

He makes for the only MLA from the region that reached cabinet status once again.

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice did not get an upward move into a cabinet post, she was the Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness in the John Horgan government. 

Ms. Rice retains that post as part of today's announcement from Victoria.

Premier Eby noted of the challenges ahead for his new Executive Council and how his team will work to deliver in a range of areas for British Columbians.

“British Columbia is a wonderful place to live, but people are looking for action on the issues facing them and their families. If the pandemic taught us anything, it's that we can't solve these problems alone. We need to solve them together. My team of determined colleagues will use a wealth and variety of experiences to continue the good work we’ve started and go further to deliver results people can see and feel in their communities.”

The full announcement can be reviewed here.

You can access more background on today's cabinet announcement from our political blog D'Arcy McGee as we recap the day's notes from Victoria with our Victoria Viewpoints feature which will be updated later this evening. 

Further notes of interest to the Northwest can be explored from our Legislature archive pages.