Vancouver city councillor named to new premier’s inner circle

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A longtime Vancouver city councillor has been named Chief of Staff for BC’s new Premier.

John Horgan has announced key members of his team –including Geoff Meggs— who now plans to step down from city council.

Meggs, who’s served nine years on council for Vision Vancouver, made it official at noon.

“I submitted my resignation around lunch time and I think, by the end of the day, they’ll have my phone and my office keys, and anything else,” said Meggs.

He adds a by-election must be held within three months.

“The law’s very clear. The clerk has no option under the law, but to call a by-election as soon as she can –probably the next council meeting she’ll announce something. It has to be within 80 days, so there’ll be a Fall by-election in Vancouver.”

Meggs says he’s expecting to get a pay raise when he starts working with Horgan, but those details haven’t been ironed out yet.

In response to the announcement, former NDP leader Carole James says Vancouver’s loss is definitely all of BC’s gain.

“To be able to have someone with Geoff’s experience, working directly with John Horgan. Both transit, as well as housing are two key priority areas and those are areas where Geoff has direct experience, so I think having someone who can hit the ground running, who has that base, I think is going to be a big benefit to everyone in BC including in the Metro Vancouver area,” says James.

Statement from Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson

“We have been fortunate to have Geoff Meggs on City Council over the last nine years, where he has been an effective and thoughtful City Councillor, demonstrating strong leadership on issues like affordable housing and transit. He is immensely qualified to serve as the Premier’s Chief of Staff and I wish him all the best in his new role.”

Other key roles have gone to former BCIT President Don Wright and Horgan’s outgoing Chief of Staff Bob Dewar.

Wright, who’s resigning from his current job as the CEO of Central 1 Credit Union later this week (July 7th), will serve as Deputy Minister of Executive Council, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Public Service.

Dewar, who is also the BC NDP’s Campaign Director, plans to stay on as Special Advisor to the Premier.

Horgan’s supposed to be sworn in later this month, but the Legislature is not expected to reconvene before September.