New minister in charge of ICBC
Yesterday, Canada’s newest premier introduced a new, smaller cabinet.
British Columbia Premier Christy Clark announced her new cabinet, made up of 17 ministers plus the premier, reduced from the previous total of 24.
Shirley Bond, MLA of Prince George-Valemount has been appointed as Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, a post that is responsible for the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. She is succeeding Rich Coleman in this post. Coleman will now serve as Ministry of Energy and Mines (minister responsible for Housing) and will serve as the Government House Leader.
Shirley Bond was elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2005 to represent the riding of Prince George-Mount Robson. She previously served as Minister of Advanced Education and Minister of Health Services.
Before her election to the Legislative Assembly, she served three terms on the Prince George School Board, the last as chair. She also worked with the continuing education department of the Prince George School District, becoming its business manager. She was given the B.C. Interior, North & Yukon Woman of Distinction Award for her work in public education.
Minister Bond has an arts and science diploma from the College of New Caledonia and, up until becoming MLA, was working on a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at the University of Northern BC.
The new cabinet appointed and sworn into office by the Lieutenant-Governor in a ceremony on March 14 is:
- Premier – Hon. Christy Clark
- Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance – Hon. Kevin Falcon
- Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation – Hon. Mary Polak
- Minister of Advanced Education – Hon. Naomi Yamamoto
- Minister of Agriculture – Hon. Don McRae
- Attorney General – Hon. Barry Penner
- Minister of Children and Family Development – Hon. Mary McNeil
- Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development – Hon. Ida Chong
- Minister of Education – Hon. George Abbott
- Minister of Energy and Mines (minister responsible for Housing) – Hon. Rich Coleman
- Minister of Environment – Hon. Terry Lake
- Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations – Hon. Steve Thomson
- Minister of Health – Hon. Michael de Jong
- Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation – Hon. Pat Bell
- Minister of Labour, Citizens’ Services and Open Government – Hon. Stephanie Cadieux
- Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General – Hon. Shirley Bond
- Minister of Social Development (minister responsible for multiculturalism) – Hon. Harry Bloy
- Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure – Hon. Blair Lekstrom
Additionally, 10 MLAs have been named as parliamentary secretaries, and will work with ministers to focus on key initiatives of government.
