Pair of elected Tri-City MLAs named ministers in new B.C. NDP cabinet

Two MLAs representing the Tri-Cities will continue to serve as ministers in Premier David Eby’s cabinet following last month’s election.

And two more have been named ministers of state for provincial portfolios.

This afternoon, Nov. 18, Port Coquitlam MLA Mike Farnworth was named as House Leader and Minister for Transportation and Transit while New Westminster–Coquitlam MLA Jennifer Whiteside was announced as labour minister.

Jodie Wickens, who narrowly won the seat of Coquitlam–Burke Mountain on Oct. 19, is the new minister of state for Child Care and Children and Youth with Support Needs while Port Moody–Burquitlam MLA Rick Glumac is the minster of state for trade.

Meanwhile, the Tri-Cities’ fifth MLA, former Coquitlam school trustee Jennifer Blatherwick, will take the parliamentary secretary role on gender equity.

In a news release, Eby said the new cabinet is a mix of veteran and rookie politicians.

“At a time when there is a lot of worry and uncertainty about the future, British Columbians have asked us to work together and get things done that make a real difference in their daily lives,” Eby stated.

“This experienced and capable team will be focused on addressing the priority issues we heard loud and clear from British Columbians. We’re honoured to have been given the opportunity to tackle these serious challenges.”

Eby said the cabinet priorities will be to bring down the cost-of-living for families, as well as improving healthcare, making communities safer and growing the economy; it is also committed to partnering with Indigenous communities and tackling climate change.

Eby has designated different ministries for Energy and Climate Solutions, and Mining and Critical Minerals: The former will be responsible for B.C.’s electricity, alternative energy and petroleum sectors and provide oversight of the North Coast Transmission Line and BC Hydro’s capital plan; the latter ministry will be give oversight and support 17 new mineral projects that will start soon.

As for Farnworth’s file on transportation and transit, Eby said the ministry will focus on transportation networks and deliver on major projects like the:

Trans-Canada Highway widening
Surrey to Langley SkyTrain
George Massey tunnel replacement
Pattullo Bridge replacement

2024 cabinet

Here’s the list of B.C.’s new cabinet:

Premier: David Eby
- Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities: Brittny Anderson
Agriculture and Food: Lana Popham
Attorney General and Deputy Premier: Niki Sharma
Children and Family Development: Grace Lore
Citizens’ Services: George Chow
Education and Child Care: Lisa Beare
- Minister of State for Child Care and Children and Youth with Support Needs: Jodie Wickens
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness: Kelly Greene
Energy and Climate Solutions: Adrian Dix
Environment and Parks: Tamara Davidson
Finance: Brenda Bailey
Forests: Ravi Parmar
Health: Josie Osborne
Housing and Municipal Affairs: Ravi Kahlon
Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation: Christine Boyle
Infrastructure: Bowinn Ma
Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation: Diana Gibson
- Minister of State for Trade: Rick Glumac
Labour: Jennifer Whiteside
Mining and Critical Minerals: Jagrup Brar
Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills: Anne Kang
Public Safety and Solicitor General: Garry Begg
- Minister of State for Community Safety and Integrated Services: Terry Yung
Social Development and Poverty Reduction: Sheila Malcolmson
Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport: Spencer Chandra Herbert
Transportation and Transit and House Leader: Mike Farnworth
Water, Land and Resource Stewardship: Randene Neill