June 15, 2009
New Cabinet Focused On Moving British Columbia Forward

VICTORIA – Premier Gordon Campbell appointed a new cabinet today to build a strong economic future, capitalize on hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and seize emerging global opportunities as Canada’s Pacific Gateway. 
 

“The members of this executive council are proven leaders and, like all of their caucus colleagues, are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work immediately to build a stronger province,” said Premier Campbell. “Together, we will focus on B.C.’s priorities of building the economy, creating jobs and continuing to enhance critical services like health and education.

“This is an important time in B.C.’s history, filled both with challenges and opportunities. The members of our new cabinet are dedicated to meeting those challenges and seizing those opportunities on behalf of all British Columbians. We will build on the strong foundation we’ve forged together over the last eight years and create an even brighter future.”

The new members of the provincial cabinet are Randy Hawes, Kash Heed, Margaret MacDiarmid, Mary McNeil, Ben Stewart, Moira Stilwell, Steve Thomson, Naomi Yamamoto and John Yap.

Mike de Jong is the Government house leader and George Abbott is the deputy house leader. Bill Barisoff will be the Government Caucus nominee for Speaker and Linda Reid the nominee for Deputy Speaker.

“We will continue to work with B.C.’s First Nations to strengthen and build on our new relationship, which will create certainty and economic opportunity for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal British Columbians alike,” said Premier Campbell. “In just 247 days, B.C. and Canada will welcome the world for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. This is an unprecedented opportunity to market our province and its people to the world, and create new growth right here in British Columbia. Our cabinet will work to take advantage of this opportunity and to continue building our province as Canada’s Gateway to the Asia Pacific.”

Premier Campbell also named six MLAs as parliamentary secretaries:

Donna Barnett, Dave Hayer, Terry Lake, Richard T. Lee, John Rustad and John Slater.

 

BACKGROUNDER
 
MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

• Premier – Hon. Gordon Campbell
• Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations – Hon. Naomi Yamamoto
• Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation – Hon. George Abbott
• Advanced Education and Labour Market Development – Hon. Moira Stilwell
• Agriculture and Lands – Hon. Steve Thomson
• Attorney General – Hon. Mike de Jong
• Children and Family Development and Minister Responsible for Child Care – Hon. Mary Polak
• Citizens’ Services and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism and the Public Affairs Bureau – Hon. Ben Stewart
• Community and Rural Development – Hon. Bill Bennett
• Education and Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy – Hon. Margaret MacDiarmid
• Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources – Hon. Blair Lekstrom
• Minister of State for Mining – Hon. Randy Hawes
• Environment – Hon. Barry Penner 
• Minister of State for Climate Action – Hon. John Yap
• Finance and Deputy Premier – Hon. Colin Hansen
• Forests and Range and Minister Responsible for the Integrated Land Management Bureau – Hon. Pat Bell
• Health Services – Hon. Kevin Falcon
• Healthy Living and Sport – Hon. Ida Chong 
• Minister of State for the Olympics and ActNow BC – Hon. Mary McNeil
• Housing and Social Development – Hon. Rich Coleman
• Labour – Hon. Murray Coell
• Public Safety and Solicitor General – Hon. Kash Heed
• Small Business, Technology and Economic Development – Hon. Iain Black
• Tourism, Culture and the Arts – Hon. Kevin Krueger
• Transportation and Infrastructure – Hon. Shirley Bond 
• Premier – Hon. Gordon Campbell

Parliamentary Secretaries

• Parliamentary Secretary for the Asia-Pacific Initiative to the Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development - Richard T. Lee        
• Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism to the Minister of Citizens’ Services - Dave Hayer
• Parliamentary Secretary for Pine Beetle Community Recovery to the Minister of Community and Rural Development - Donna Barnett         
• Parliamentary Secretary for the Ranching Task Force to the Minister of Agriculture and Lands - Terry Lake     
• Parliamentary Secretary for Silviculture to the Minister of Forests and Range - John Rustad       
• Parliamentary Secretary for Water Supply and Allocation to the Minister of Environment - John Slater

Additional appointments

• Government house leader – Hon. Mike de Jong
• Government deputy house leader – Hon. George Abbott