New premier Christy Clark has announced her cabinet, giving the top ministerial roles to her recent leadership rivals.
Kevin Falcon is the new deputy premier and minister of finance, Mike de Jong is minister of health and George Abbott is minister of education.
Clark’s leaner cabinet, which reduces 24 ministerial positions to 17, does not include former finance Colin Hansen, who is linked to the implementation of HST.
The new cabinet also drops from former premier Gordon Campbell’s cabinet: labour minister Iain Black, environment minister Murray Coell, education minister Margaret MacDiarmid, agriculture minister Ben Stewart, advanced education minister Moira Stilwell, social development minister Kevin Kruger, minister of state for mines Randy Hawes, and minister of state for climate action John Yap.
New cabinet members are minister of transportation and infrastructure Blair Lekstrom, minister of environment Terry Lake, minister of agriculture Don McRae and minister of social development Harry Bloy.
“Our cabinet will reflect the priorities of British Columbians and put families at the centre of all our decision-making,” Clark said in a press release.
“Together, we will focus on creating jobs and building a strong economy because that is the most important thing we can do to support families and ensure we can invest in critical services like health and education.”