(Scroll to the end of the article to find a full run-down of the new cabinet)

VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – Premier Christy Clark has unveiled a “renewed” cabinet after several senior ministers announced they will not run in next May’s provincial election.

Mike de Jong moves from the health ministry to finance to prepare the pre-election budget. He’s also tasked with settling with the BCGEU, which is staging a one-day walkout today.

“I am committed to the principle that government should not be spending more of the taxpayers’ money than it receives,” says de Jong, also noting the challenges of delivering a balanced budget.

“I am alive to the volatility in natural gas pricing and the implications that has for achieving our budget targets.”

Union president Darryl Walker says he always got along with de Jong. “Hopefully, Mr. de Jong will have some way of now trying to get the government and… government employees back to the table so we can get the collective agreement we so badly need.”

Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid takes over as minister of health and believes her 22 years as a family physician and her battle with breast cancer and meningitis give her a great perspective.
    
“It’s my eagerness to go and speak with [health care] providers to tell them what a tremendous difference they make,” she says.

MacDiarmid will also have to contend with the Cambie Surgery Centre and the charges of extra-billing patients against founder Dr. Brian Day, whom she describes as a good friend.

“It’s important for me to understand the details around that lawsuit,” she adds.

Debra McPherson, the head of the BC Nurses’ Union, says MacDiarmid brings good skills to the job.

“She has spent time on the front lines of health care. She knows what goes on in the system and in facilities. She’s worked directly with our members in the past,” outlines McPherson.

Dr. Shelley Ross with the BC Medical Association looks forward to meeting MacDiarmid. “Having been a former BCMA president and also a family physician, we then know that she understands the issues… We think she’s a very good choice for the government.”

Former teacher Don McRae is BC’s new education minister, taking over from George Abbott, who had to wield the heavy back-to-work stick against the BC Teachers’ Federation. But BCTF President Susan Lambert doesn’t expect much to change.

“It doesn’t matter who the education minister is; it’s government policy that we are at issue with, and government policy has not been changed,” says Lambert.

Meanwhile, Mary Polak moves from aboriginal relations to transportation, replacing Blair Lekstrom. Stephanie Cadieux moves into the challenging children and family development portfolio for the departing Mary McNeil.

NDP leader Adrian Dix is concerned about the sheer number of ministers handling Community Living BC as Dr. Moira Stilwell is now the Minister of Social Development.

He says this latest cabinet shuffle means CLBC has had five ministers in two years. “It really shows and reflects on how political instability negatively affects an important area of real services for people.”

CLBC helps people with developmental disabilities but has been slammed for service cuts hitting the most vulnerable.

Premier appoints 79-year-old cabinet minister

He’s been in provincial politics for over a decade and has finally become a cabinet minister at the age of 79.

Premier Clark named West Vancouver Capilano MLA Ralph Sultan as BC’s new Minister of State for Seniors. Sultan says he’s the kind of guy who won’t sugar coat things and a guy that won’t quit.

“I’m probably the only MLA that actually had a heart attack while listening to Gordon Campbell debate Carol James on the floor of the house. Out of respect, I decided I shouldn’t leave immediately, but I did find my way to the men’s room and collapsed,” explains Sultan, adding he’s healthy now.

The Harvard-trained economist says he’s ready to hear the needs of people like himself. And while most people are enjoying retirement at 79, he says he’ll be busy running around.

“I’m going to be doing a fair bit of travelling across the province listening and explaining services that perhaps aren’t appreciated and understood.”

Cabinet shuffle comes too late: political scientist

Dr. Norman Ruff with U-Vic says the premier should have done this cabinet shuffle before team members started quitting.

“She’s lost control of the agenda. The story is these people announcing that they’re not going to run again rather than a new star cabinet,” he explains.

But Ruff thinks it’s too soon to say whether the Liberal party is about to fizzle out, adding anything can happen before the election in May 2013.

If the Liberals are defeated, he says it’s hard to say what will happen. They could either disappear like the Socreds did in the early ’90s or re-surge, like the NDP over the last decade.

The new cabinet:

Premier – Hon. Christy Clark
Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas and Minister Responsible for Housing and Deputy Premier – Hon. Rich Coleman
Minister of Finance and House Leader – Hon. Mike de Jong
 Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation – Hon. Ida Chong
 Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism – Hon. John Yap
 Minister of Agriculture – Hon. Norm Letnick
Minister of Children and Family Development – Hon. Stephanie Cadieux
Minister of Citizens’ Services and Open Government – Hon. Ben Stewart
Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development – Hon. Bill Bennett
Minister of Education – Hon. Don McRae
Minister of Environment – Hon. Terry Lake
Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations – Hon. Steve Thomson
Minister of Health – Hon. Margaret MacDiarmid
Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour – Hon. Pat Bell
Minister of Justice and Attorney General – Hon. Shirley Bond
Minister of Social Development – Hon. Moira Stilwell
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure – Hon. Mary Polak
Minister of State for Seniors – Hon. Ralph Sultan
Minister of State for Small Business – Hon. Naomi Yamamoto