The B.C. Liberal opposition has selected its critics to respond to Premier John Horgan害羞草研究所檚 new majority government, with interim leader Shirley Bond taking on a new role of seniors and long-term care.
Bond said Monday the 28-member official opposition is taking a team approach to the COVID-19 crisis, and will share the load with rookie Kelowna-Mission MLA Renee Merrifeld, who takes on the role of health critic. Former health critic Norm Letnick (Kelowna-Lake Country) becomes assistant deputy speaker.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 about leading by example,害羞草研究所� Bond said of her own role in releasing the lineup Nov. 30. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 about the incredibly hard work that all of our critics will have to do, and I think it sends a signal about how important we think those issues are.害羞草研究所�
Peace River South MLA Mike Bernier is the new finance critic as incoming Finance Minister Selina Robinson prepares a budget to deal with the huge demands and deficits of the pandemic. Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart replaces Bernier as education critic, as schools have their own struggles with carrying on while controlling the spread of coronavirus infection.
Skeena MLA Ellis Ross takes over as environment and climate change critic, and Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka is the critic for energy and mines as B.C. carries on pipeline construction and continuing greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
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Vancouver-Langara MLA Michael Lee has a key critic role for transportation and infrastructure. B.C. is moving to the final stages of the Kicking Horse Pass portion of the Trans-Canada Highway, with that and other sections subject to the NDP government害羞草研究所檚 union-restricted contracts. Horgan has told the new transportation minister, Rob Fleming, that that public construction model is to be used in future projects, as B.C. and Canada expect big infrastructure works to help the economy recover in the coming years.
Lee was one of the candidates who ran against Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Andrew Wilkinson for the leadership after Christy Clark resigned in 2017. The other contenders include Abbotsford West MLA Mike de Jong, who becomes attorney general critic, and Kamloops South Thompson MLA Todd Stone, critic for jobs, economic recovery and innovation.
Wilkinson is not assigned a specific portfolio. Bond said he has agreed to use his extensive experience as a minister and deputy minister to 害羞草研究所渟upport multiple critic roles害羞草研究所� as the opposition takes on a 57-member NDP government caucus. A brief session is scheduled to start Dec. 7.
The full list of B.C. Liberal critics:
Advanced Education, Skills Training and Sport 害羞草研究所� Coralee Oakes
Agriculture and Food 害羞草研究所� Ian Paton
Attorney General 害羞草研究所� Mike de Jong
Citizens害羞草研究所� Services 害羞草研究所� Bruce Banman
Children, Family Development and Child Care 害羞草研究所� Karin Kirkpatrick
Columbia Basin Initiatives 害羞草研究所� Doug Clovechok
Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation 害羞草研究所� Tom Shypitka
Education 害羞草研究所� Jackie Tegart
Environment and Climate Change Strategy 害羞草研究所� Ellis Ross
Finance 害羞草研究所� Mike Bernier
Fisheries, Aquaculture and BC Ferries 害羞草研究所� Jordan Sturdy
Forests, Lands, & Natural Resources 害羞草研究所� John Rustad
Gender Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion 害羞草研究所� Stephanie Cadieux
Health 害羞草研究所� Renee Merrifield
Housing 害羞草研究所� Ben Stewart
Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation 害羞草研究所� Peter Milobar
Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation 害羞草研究所� Todd Stone
Labour 害羞草研究所� Greg Kyllo
Mental Health and Addictions 害羞草研究所� Trevor Halford
Municipal Affairs 害羞草研究所� Dan Ashton
Public Safety and Solicitor General 害羞草研究所� Mike Morris
Rural Development 害羞草研究所� Lorne Doerksen
Seniors Services & Long Term Care 害羞草研究所� Shirley Bond
Social Development and Poverty Reduction 害羞草研究所� Dan Davies
Tourism, Arts and Culture, and Anti-Racism Initiatives 害羞草研究所� Teresa Wat
Transportation, Infrastructure and TransLink 害羞草研究所� Michael Lee
tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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