National

Eby's NDP cabinet 'bloated, expensive,' says B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 20 Nov, 2024 05:06 PM

British Columbia Conservative Leader John Rustad says Premier David Eby's new cabinet appears to be a taxpayer-funded loyalty program that rewards NDP caucus.

BC’s historic Conservative Party of BC Caucus will hold Premier Eby and his BC NDP to account for government’s continued out of control spending and ongoing failures in healthcare, public safety, addictions, education and so much more. #bcpoli https://t.co/WhpYBSEftU
— John Rustad (@JohnRustad4BC) November 20, 2024

Eby introduced his new cabinet this week, which includes 23 ministers, four ministers of state and 14 parliamentary secretaries.

He also announced postings for caucus chair, deputy caucus chair, government whip, deputy government whip and nominees for deputy Speaker, Speaker and committee of the whole deputy chair.

Rustad says in a statement that Eby's appointment of 42 of 47 MLAs to a cabinet or parliamentary secretary postings appears to be a "loyalty program for a premier desperate to cling to power."

Members of the legislature earn an annual basic salary of more than $119,500, with cabinet ministers getting an extra $59,766, which is the same salary boost Rustad receives as Opposition Leader.

Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says in a statement that while Rustad is making claims about an expanded cabinet and promising to force an election, Eby and his team "gets to work on the priorities of British Columbians, like creating good-paying jobs, strengthening health care and delivering a $1,000 middle-class tax cut."

Eby's New Democrats were elected last month with 47 members, a one-seat majority in B.C.'s 93-seat legislature.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

BC Greens want to lower voting age

The B-C Green Party wants to lower the voting age in the province to 16, saying the move would empower young people and strengthen democracy. Green Leader Sonia Furstenau says lowering the voting age and allowing teens to vote in provincial elections while they're still in high school would jumpstart civic engagement while giving young people a real say in shaping their future.

BC Greens want to lower voting age

VPD on lookout for SUV occupants

Vancouver Police are looking for the occupants of an S-U-V that was in the area where Japanese chef Wataru Kakiuchi was fatally stabbed early on June 5th. A 32-year-old man was arrested and charged with second-degree murder less than a week after the stabbing in the city's Downtown Eastside.

VPD on lookout for SUV occupants

Fire destroys historic Kamloops bridge

An early morning fire has destroyed a historic bridge in Kamloops. The blaze is believed to have started in the middle of city's Red Bridge at around 3 a-m, eventually engulfing the wooden structure that had two lanes for vehicles.

Fire destroys historic Kamloops bridge

B.C. Premier touts involuntary care plans at convention, days before campaign begins

B.C. Premier David Eby says several city governments are on board with having a "secure site" to house and treat severely mentally ill and drug addicted people. Eby told local politicians at the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference in Vancouver that public safety is a priority for cities, especially in downtown cores, where many people are seen "visibly" struggling with addictions.

B.C. Premier touts involuntary care plans at convention, days before campaign begins

Climate, food security, Arctic among Canada's intelligence priorities, Ottawa says

The pressing issues of climate change and food security join more familiar ones like violent extremism and espionage on a new list of Canada's intelligence priorities. The federal government says publishing the list of priorities for the first time is an important step toward greater transparency.

Climate, food security, Arctic among Canada's intelligence priorities, Ottawa says

B.C. and First Nations reach deal to sell 2,600 condos at 60% of market value

An agreement between First Nations and the British Columbia government will see thousands of homes made available in Vancouver at 40-per-cent below cost. Premier David Eby calls it a "remarkable" accomplishment between the province and the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, which would see about 2,600 homes sold for 60 per cent of the value in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world.