As predicted here, Christy Clark awarded high-profile cabinet posts to her final three rivals for the premier‘s job.
Kevin Falcon (deputy premier, finance), George Abbott (education) and Mike de Jong (health) got the clout (and responsibilities) they and their followers expected.
What was not predicted in this spot was Comox Valley MLA Don McRae entering cabinet not even halfway into his first term in the legislature.
A myriad of considerations go into cabinet shuffles, especially major ones such as this — but geographic location, the importance of agriculture in the Comox Valley, and not-so-right wing leanings shared by McRae and Clark were likely factors.
Not meaning to sell the bright and personable McRae short, but another reason — already hinted darkly by some recallers — is that Clark gave him and Kamloops MLA Terry Lake (environment) a boost during current campaigns to yank them out of office.
Maybe, maybe not, but expecting a cabinet shuffle without extensive thought given to political considerations would be naïve.
A major factor was to put distance between the current regime and that of Gordon Campbell and the HST.
As the other public face of the hated tax, Vanier grad Colin Hansen had no prayer of returning as finance minister or minister of anything for that matter.
Hansen, who enjoyed a reputation as a very capable minister before the HST fiasco, could well be rehabilitated in future once the coast is clear, although he might have to wait until after the next election.
Besides her putting-families-first credo, Clark sent another important message by appointing Peace maverick MLA Blair Lekstrom to head transportation and infrastructure.
This is clearly an olive branch letting Lekstrom and his followers who were turned off by Campbell’s intransigence that they are welcome back in the government.
The huge task of reuniting the party and appealing to B.C. voters begins now.
editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com
