British Columbia.

• Author: Robinson, Gordon
• Position: Legislative Reports

As reported in the last issue, on May 14, 2013, British Columbians elected a fourth consecutive Liberal government headed by Premier Christy Clark who lost her own seat. The BC Liberal Party's election win was unexpected in that pre-election polling showed them trailing the NDP by a significant margin.

The results in two ridings were not reported on previously. The riding of Coquitlam-Maillardville required a judicial recount to determine the result. Although a judicial recount was not triggered, the riding of Saanich North and the Islands was also remarkably close with less than 400 votes separating three candidates. Both ridings were ultimately won by NDP candidates. The current party standings are: 49 BC Liberal Party; 34 New Democratic Party of BC; 2 Independents.

New Cabinet Appointments

BC's new cabinet was announced by Premier Clark at a Vancouver event on June 7 and sworn in at Government House in Victoria on June 10. Twelve returning MLAs were appointed to cabinet: Rich Coleman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing; John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation; Pat Pimm, Minister of Agriculture; Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development; Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review; Mary Polak, Minister of Environment; Michael de Jong, Minister of Finance and Government House Leader; Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; Terry Lake, Minister of Health; Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour; Don McRae, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation; and Naomi Yamamoto Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business.

Seven new MLAs were also appointed: Amrik Virk, Minister of Advanced Education; Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development; Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education; Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism; Suzanne Anton, Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services; and Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Deputy House Leader.

On June 14 Adrian Dix, Leader of the Official Opposition, announced the Official Opposition critic roles. Of returning MLAs, seven continued in their previous...