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Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osbourne was handed a new cabinet post on Friday, Feb 25. (B.C. Government)
NEW RESPONSIBILITIES

Routley, Osbourne see new roles as BC Government shuffles cabinet

Feb 25, 2022 | 11:15 AM

VICTORIA — A small cabinet shuffle announced by Premier John Horgan involved a pair of MLA’s exchanging ministerial duties.

Josie Osbourne was appointed the first ever minister of land, water and resource stewardship and minister responsible for fisheries.

Osbourne, the MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim was the former municipal affairs minister, which was a job handed to MLA Nathan Cullen. She’s a first term MLA after previously serving as mayor of Tofino.

“Minister Osbourne has been an important voice at the cabinet table and her local government experience combined with her professional life as a biologist and a masters degree in natural resource management, make her the ideal candidate to take on this first ever position,” Premier John Horgan said during the announcement in Victoria on Friday, Feb. 25.

The newly created land, water and resource stewardship ministry includes building a new vision for land and resource management with First Nations, according to the province.

Horgan said the new ministry will take elements related to natural resources which had previously spanned several portfolios.

“The fundamental part of being British Columbians with abundant natural resources is ensuring we’re stewarding those effectively not just for this generation, but for generations to come.”

In addition, Premier Horgan announced longtime Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA Doug Routley was appointed parliamentary secretary for forests under minister Katrine Conroy.

Routley was re-elected for a fifth term in Victoria during the 2020 provincial election.

The forests ministry will also take on some additional work, with new responsibilities for wildfires in B.C.

“This is no longer a prospective job it’s going to be one that involves wildfire service, 24/7, 12 months of the year.

Alterations to the B.C. Government cabinet followed a spend-heavy budget for 2022 announced last week.

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