David Eby will officially become B.C.’s premier on Nov. 18, the province has announced.
The former attorney general and housing minister was acclaimed to take over the BC NDP leadership last week, after his sole challenger Anjali Appadurai was disqualified. The leadership contest was called at the end of June when Premier John Horgan announced his plans to step down, following a recent battle with and recovery from cancer.
Eby has promised action on housing, health care and public safety for his first 100 days in office.
He campaigned on a housing plan that includes a $500-million fund to provide grants to non-profits and First Nations looking to buy rental properties, and a pledge to fast-track approvals and construction of multi-family housing developments.
Eby also promised to look into removing barriers to international medical graduates looking to practice in B.C. He has further committed to targeting crime and safety by addressing mental health, addiction and homelessness, and promises to address climate change by redirecting fossil fuel subsidies to clean energy.
The premier’s office says the swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Government House in Victoria, the office of the Lieutenant Governor. The November break of the fall legislative session will be extended leading up to the swearing-in, and Eby will meet the assembly as premier in the week of Nov. 21.
In response to the announcement, Adam Olson, house leader for the B.C. Green Caucus questioned the nearly month period between Eby being acclaimed and sworn in.
“He has been absent from the House and now he’s cutting a week of session, it is increasingly looking like premier designate David Eby does not want to be asked questions or be held accountable,” Olson said in a statement. He pointed to Rishi Sunak being sworn in as the U.K. prime minister within three days and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith being sworn in within five days.
“What is taking so long to get the premier up and running?” Olson asked.
-With files from The Canadian Press
