B.C. ministry mandate letters focus on affordability, public safety, economic growth

The parliamentary mace, front, is seen encased in a clear box inside the newly renovated legislative assembly in Victoria, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. (Chad Hipolito / The Canadian Press)

The B.C. government has released its ministerial mandate letters for Premier David Eby’s new cabinet.

The mandate letters outline specific priorities for each ministry, on top of boilerplate instructions to cabinet appointees to grow the province’s economy, “reduce costs for families,” bolster health care and improve public safety and also review the efficiency of existing programs.

Here are some highlights from Eby’s mandate letters to select ministers:

Ravi Kahlon, Housing: “work to make home ownership a reality for more British Columbians”; “increase supply of rental, co-op and non-market housing”; speed up housing permitting processes.

Christine Boyle, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation: “build partnerships” to deliver benefits to First Nations including housing, jobs and clean energy initiatives; improve quality of life in Indigenous communities; resolve boundary disputes relying on First Nations laws, customs and traditions; speed up land transfers; develop anti-racism initiatives.

Bowinn Ma, Infrastructure: speed up delivery of “generational investments”; structure capital plans to minimize costs rising due to labour shortages; speed up infrastructure approvals with standardized plans for schools, hospitals and health care facilities; push the federal government to share costs on critical infrastructure projects.

Diana Gibson, Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation: expand international trade diversification; scrutinize new regulations or legislation through the lens of impact on businesses; encourage businesses to adopt artificial intelligence to “improve productivity”; create an inventory of existing industrial lands.

Jagrup Brar, Mining and Critical Minerals: establish “fixed timelines” for mining permit approvals; develop strategy to attract investment in mining exploration; prioritize “large-scale” land use agreements with First Nations on projects that protect the environment and offer investor security; update the Mineral Tenure Act after court the case involving First Nations consultation.

Anne Kang, Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills: identify worker shortages that are “constraining economic growth”; advocate for institutions with the federal government after “funding challenges” caused by international student changes; enhance skills training for people caught in “cycle of poverty”; work with the Housing Ministry to give student rental housing a “special provision” under tenancy laws.

Garry Begg, Public Safety and Solicitor General: aid in co-operation between prosecutors, police, probation officers to reduce repeat and violent offending; work with the federal government to overhaul criminal law that prevents “keeping prolific and repeat violent offenders in custody”; “spearhead” policy initiatives targeting organized crime, including asset seizures and denial of government services; strengthen border protection; work with the Insurance Corporation of B.C. on review of “enhanced care model.”

Brenda Bailey, Finance: put the province on a “clear path” to balanced budgets; maintain favourable debt-to-GDP ratio; continue delivery of “cost of living supports” at times of high inflation.

Josie Osborne, Health: spearhead “system redesign” on training, recruitment and retention of health workers; address emergency room closures; connect residents with primary care providers; improve cancer, maternity, reproductive and gynecological care; reduce health care administration costs; bolster peer-reviewed research on addiction interventions; reduce risk of prescribed opioid diversion; expand access to nasal-delivery naloxone for overdose prevention.

Adrian Dix, Energy and Climate Solutions: keep energy costs low for British Columbians; increase and diversify province’s power generation capacity to keep pace with the economy; oppose and plan for contingencies in case of U.S. tariffs; speed up permit approval for low-carbon energy projects; work with federal government to cap oil and gas sector emissions; identify ways to meet emissions targets that reduce costs, grow economy, and allow for diversification “in light of growing global economic and political instability.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 16, 2025.

The Canadian Press