The BC Liberal Party has announced its shadow cabinet under the new leader Shirley Bond.

And, all three Central Okanagan MLAs are set to play key roles in the opposition caucus.

The first-term MLA for Kelowna-Mission Renee Merrifield will take over Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick害羞草研究所檚 former place as health critic. Ben Stewart has moved from critic for trade and citizens害羞草研究所� services to the critic for housing.

Letnick has moved out of a critic position and will instead take on the assistant deputy speaker role in the house.

Merrifield, a self-admitted 害羞草研究所渞ookie害羞草研究所� politician who has never before held public office, is being thrust into one of the Liberal Party害羞草研究所檚 most prominent positions as the health critic in the middle of a pandemic. It害羞草研究所檚 an opportunity, she said, she was shocked to be offered but honoured to take on.

害羞草研究所淲hat I lack in experience, I害羞草研究所檓 going to make up for in hard work, diligence, passion, excitement and ultimately, learning,害羞草研究所� she said.

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Letnick received bi-partisan accolades for his work early in the pandemic, specifically for setting up town halls across party lines. Merrifield said she害羞草研究所檚 looking to continue building upon what Letnick laid the groundwork for.

Previously, Merrifield served on the Interior Health board of directors from 2015 through 2017.

For his new role as housing critic, Stewart is hoping to hold the government to account on what he describes as

害羞草研究所淚 haven害羞草研究所檛 been particularly impressed with the results of the government 害羞草研究所� in terms of housing affordability and housing supply,害羞草研究所� said Stewart. 害羞草研究所淭hree years ago, it was all about making life more affordable. I害羞草研究所檓 sorry, but I don害羞草研究所檛 think it is more affordable.害羞草研究所�

As for Letnick, he said he is looking forward to embracing his position as the assistant deputy speaker under the party害羞草研究所檚 interim leader. The assistant deputy speaker presides over debate in the assembly if both the speaker and deputy speaker are absent.

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com

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