Female Indo-Canadian MLAs Rachna Singh and newcomer Niki Sharma were given parliamentary secretary posts while former minister Jinny Sims was snubbed as the senior member of the NDP’s four Indo-Canadian women caucus. Jagrup Brar, who had lobbied to be promoted, was also not included in any junior cabinet or secretary posts.
By R. Paul Dhillon
VICTORIA – Second term MLA Ravi Kahlon, whom Hindutava and rightwing Indian forces try to defeat in North Delta, was the big winner in the BC NDP cabinet sweet stakes as he was given a full ministry along with Harry Bains returning to his Labour portfolio.
Female Indo-Canadian MLAs Rachna Singh and newcomer Niki Sharma were given parliamentary secretary posts while former minister Jinny Sims was snubbed as the senior member of the NDP’s four Indo-Canadian women caucus. Jagrup Brar, who had lobbied to be promoted, was also not included in any junior cabinet or secretary posts.
Premier John Horgan announced the full new cabinet Thursday, which he said will focus on keeping people healthy and safe through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has turned the lives of British Columbians upside down,” Premier Horgan said. “We have come a long way together, but we have much further to go. This skilled, diverse team is ready to continue our fight against COVID-19 and build an economic recovery that includes everyone.”
The new cabinet members are tasked with continuing government’s cross-ministry response to the pandemic, providing better health care for people and families, delivering affordability and security in B.C.’s communities, and investing in good jobs and livelihoods in a clean-energy future.
“I know this is a hard time for British Columbians. COVID-19 has brought challenges unlike any we’ve faced before,” Premier Horgan said. “By putting people first, investing in hospitals and diagnostics, supporting front-line workers and by everyone doing their part to fight this virus, we will make it through, together.”
The new cabinet includes 20 ministers and four ministers of state. Gender representation remains balanced. The cabinet will be supported in its work by 13 parliamentary secretaries, with portfolios including Rural Development, Anti-Racism, and Technology and Innovation.
The cabinet and parliamentary secretaries are as follows:
Premier: John Horgan
Attorney General (and Minister Responsible For Housing): David Eby
* Parliamentary Secretary – Anti-Racism Initiatives: Rachna Singh
Advanced Education and Skills Training: Anne Kang
* Parliamentary Secretary – Skills Training: Andrew Mercier
Agriculture, Food and Fisheries: Lana Popham
* Parliamentary Secretary – Fisheries and Aquaculture: Fin Donnelly
Citizens’ Services: Lisa Beare
Children and Family Development: Mitzi Dean
* Minister of State for Child Care: Katrina Chen
Education: Jennifer Whiteside
Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (and Minister Responsible for the Consular Corps of British Columbia): Bruce Ralston
Environment and Climate Change Strategy (and Minister Responsible for Translink): George Heyman
* Parliamentary Secretary – Environment: Kelly Greene
Finance: Selina Robinson
* Parliamentary Secretary – Gender Equity: Grace Lore
Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development: Katrine Conroy
* Minister of State for Lands, Natural Resource Operations: Nathan Cullen
* Parliamentary Secretary – Rural Development: Roly Russell
Health (and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs): Adrian Dix
* Parliamentary Secretary – Seniors Services and Long Term Care: Mable Elmore
Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation: Murray Rankin
Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation: Ravi Kahlon
* Minister of State for Trade: George Chow
* Parliamentary Secretary – Technology and Innovation: Brenda Bailey
Labour: Harry Bains
* Parliamentary Secretary – New Economy: Adam Walker
Mental Health and Addictions: Sheila Malcolmson
Municipal Affairs: Josie Osborne
Public Safety and Solicitor General: Mike Farnworth
* Parliamentary Secretary – Emergency Preparedness: Jennifer Rice
Social Development and Poverty Reduction: Nicholas Simons
* Parliamentary Secretary – Community Development and Non-Profits: Niki Sharma
* Parliamentary Secretary – Accessibility: Dan Coulter
Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport: Melanie Mark
* Parliamentary Secretary – Arts and Film: Bob D’Eith
Transportation and Infrastructure: Rob Fleming
* Minister of State for Infrastructure: Bowinn Ma
