What to Expect
Premier Horgan drew up the writ for the Vancouver-Quilchena byelection, where newly elected Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon will face the NDP’s Jeanette Ashe (the wife of Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart) and Green Party candidate Wendy Hayko. Election day is April 30, and the seat has traditionally been a safe one for the Liberals. A full-time Liberal leader entering the Legislature would set the stage for the next election, which isn’t expected for another two years.
The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services will begin planning consultations for Budget 2023 at its Wednesday meeting and the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act will hear a follow-up presentation from the information and privacy commissioner on Thursday.
The Week That Was
Premier John Horgan has announced via a Twitter post that, while fully vaccinated, he has tested positive for COVID-19 and plans to follow public health guidance to isolate until he is no longer symptomatic.
The release of the Declaration Act Action Plan outlines 89 specific ways in which provincial ministries will address the needs of Indigenous Peoples within the province. The Declaration Act Action Plan makes B.C. the first province in Canada to announce a tangible plan to go about implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
The province announced plans to establish a BC Hydrogen Office that will streamline projects, expand hydrogen deployment, and attract investment. The BC Hydrogen Office will work in collaboration with federal and local governments.
Liberal MLA Stephanie Cadieux (Surrey South) announced she plans to resign at the end of the month to serve as Canada’s first chief accessibility officer.
Orders in Council
OIC 165/2022 – Makes the following appointments, effective April 1, 2022:
Serena Talbot is appointed as the senior ministerial advisor, Education and Child Care, for the purpose of performing work for the Minister of State for Child Care;
Kathleen Michelle Johnson is appointed as the ministerial advisor, Education and Child Care, for the purpose of performing work for the Minister of State for Child Care; and
Lindsay Byers is appointed as the press secretary for the Premier.
OIC 176/2022 – Appoints Kevena Hall as an assistant deputy minister, Ministry of Education and Child Care, effective April 1, 2022.
OIC 177/2022 – Appoints Andrew Calarco as an assistant deputy minister, Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship, effective April 1, 2022.
