George Abbott is back in a high profile cabinet position.
The Shuswap MLA (pictured)from Sicamous was named BC's new Education Minister today after a cabinet shuffle by Premier Gordon Campbell. He takes over the role previously held by Margaret MacDiarmid who becomes Minister of Tourism, Trade and Investment. Abbott, who has held the riding since 1996, had been the Aboriginal and reconciliation minister since 2009, and before that was the Minister of Health. Colin Hansen remains in his portfolio as Finance Minister. Hansen was minister when the government introduced the much-hated harmonized sales tax and has echoed the premier's admission that B.C. Liberals did a lousy job of getting the public on board. The changes include one new cabinet minister and new or changed portfolios for 16 of the current ministers. Campbell says, "Today's changes focus on investment and job creation, helping our children realize their full potential and building on our Olympic momentum.Another big surprise was the announcement that Martyn Brown, Premier Gordon Campbell's longtime chief of staff, is moving into the bureaucracy and will be replaced by a former deputy finance minister. Paul Taylor left government several years ago to lead the provincial insurance company and later headed a private wind-power firm.(Files from the Canadian Press)
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Ministers with new or changed portfolios include:
* Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation - Hon. Barry Penner
* Minister of Agriculture - Hon. Ben Stewart
* Minister of State for Building Code Renewal - Hon. Naomi Yamamoto
* Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development - Hon. Stephanie Cadieux
* Minister of Education - Hon. George Abbott
* Minister of Energy - Hon. Bill Bennett
* Minister of Environment - Hon. Murray Coell
* Minister of Finance (Minister Responsible for Small Business) - Hon. Colin Hansen
* Minister of Forests, Mines and Lands - Hon. Pat Bell
* Minister of Health Services - Hon. Kevin Falcon
* Minister of Labour - Hon. Iain Black
* Minister of Natural Resource Operations - Hon. Steve Thomson
* Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General (Minister Responsible for Housing) - Hon. Rich Coleman
* Minister of Regional Economic and Skills Development - Hon. Moira Stilwell
* Minister of Science and Universities - Hon. Ida Chong
* Minister of Social Development - Hon. Kevin Krueger
* Minister of Tourism, Trade and Investment (Minister Responsible for the Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat) - Hon. Margaret MacDiarmid
Ministers retaining existing portfolios:
* Attorney General - Hon. Mike de Jong
* Minister of Children and Family Development - Hon. Mary Polak
* Minister of Citizens' Services - Hon. Mary McNeil
* Minister of State for Climate Action - Hon. John Yap
* Minister of State for Mining - Hon. Randy Hawes
* Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure - Hon. Shirley Bond
1 comment:
And a half a million dollars to be spent on new name plates, door plates, stationery and re decor of offices to suit the new tenant.
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