New Cabinet Will Lead BC’s Economic Recovery

After the BC NDP won a majority of legislative seats, Premier John Horgan has announced the new provincial cabinet. The BC NDP’s cabinet positions will play a key role in economic recovery and are an important conduit for BCREA to advance our advocacy issues. Below is a summary of ministerial appointments affecting real estate.

Hon. Selina Robinson was appointed Minister of Finance, replacing Carole James who announced her retirement from office in March after three decades in politics. Hon. Robinson previously held the position of Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, so BCREA has a pre-existing relationship with her. She is likely to be one of two ministers BCREA is in communication with most frequently.

Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing David Eby is the second minister BCREA will be in regular contact with. He is reappointed to the position of Attorney General with the added role of Minister Responsible for Housing, which was previously combined with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. BCREA met with Minister Eby on December 17 to understand his 2021 priorities.

Hon. Josie Osborne, a new face in the BC legislature, is the new Minister of Municipal Affairs. She has municipal experience in local government, having previously served as mayor of Tofino.

Hon. Lana Popham was reappointed as Minister of Agriculture. BCREA has had a number of meetings and letter exchanges with her in the past three years, advocating for a balance between private property rights and protecting agricultural land in the Agricultural Land Reserve.

Minister of Health Adrian Dix was also reappointed to his role. He has had a busy term, playing a key role in guiding BC’s pandemic response.

Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth will also continue in his role that he’s had since 2017. BCREA will work with him to ensure floodplain maps are updated across the province.

Hon. Rob Fleming, who previously held the position of Minister of Education, has a new portfolio of Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. BCREA is interested in learning more about his ministry’s Integrated Transportation and Development Strategy to improve land use planning.

We look forward to collaboration with the next government where our interests align and will provide fact-based criticisms and alternative proposals for policies where improvements can be made.

See the full BC NDP cabinet here. See the list of the BC Liberal shadow cabinet here.

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