Friday December 5, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Premier David Eby has established greater emphasis on the armed forces and on primary healthcare by appointing a parliamentary secretary to each of those areas.
Two new parliamentary secretary roles have been created to support the load in two busy ministries, announced on November 25.
- Darlene Rotchford, MLA for Esquimalt-Colwood, has been appointed parliamentary secretary for armed forces development and veterans affairs in the Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth (Minister Ravi Kahlon).
- Stephanie Higginson, MLA for Ladysmith-Oceanside, has been appointed parliamentary secretary for primary care access in the Ministry of Health (Minister Josie Osborne).
A premier’s office news release said the two areas are within key government priorities to grow the economy, deliver good jobs and strengthen services for British Columbians.
“British Columbia is facing big challenges and even bigger opportunities, from strengthening our health-care system to growing good-paying jobs through the major defence and aerospace projects coming our way,” Premier Eby said.
Party service and promotions:
Rotchford and Higginson are steadfast long-time NDP leaders in areas that are key to the BC NDP story — health and education.
- Rotchford was in mental health and addictions in the health care system before running as MLA in 2024. She previously served as parliamentary secretary for labour and as the provincial government’s military liaison.
- Higginson was elected for the first time as an MLA in 2024. She had been a school board chair and led the BC School Trustees’ Association. In the past year she has served as BC NDP caucus chair.
“Darlene and Stephanie bring deep experience, strong relationships and a proven commitment to public service to these new roles. These are the skills we need to make sure B.C.’s workers are qualified for good jobs with higher pay and that people get the primary care they need, when they need it,” said Eby in last week’s news release.
“Our military keeps people in B.C. and across the globe safe and is a key player in our economic growth in areas like aerospace, technology and building,” Rotchford said. “As a military wife and a community member, I look forward to taking on this role and advocating for our hard-working forces members, families and veterans, and growing our economic capability through this work.”
Look West momentum:
In recent weeks, Eby has been unfolding the province’s Look West initiative as part of realigning BC as the economic engine of Canada.
Rotchford has been tasked with building relationships with military organizations in the province and align skills training with emerging national defence needs.
The Province’s Look West strategy aligns skills training with federally-endorsed major projects, and some of the industries the government is looking to grow are aerospace, ship-building and defence (areas that Ottawa has signaled it will increase spending).
Health Care:
Higginson will support the health minister in delivering on the challenges of “ensuring British Columbians are receiving the primary care they need when they need it most”. She will be working on “reliable access to primary care” as what is described as a crucial part of the BC health-care system.
That includes specifically boosting primary care access throughout the province through community health centres and team-based care, including in rural and remote communities.
Strengthening health care is a key component of drawing more workers to British Columbia, says Eby’s news release last week.
End of Fall Session:
These appointments have come just ahead of the end of the BC Legislature’s fall session. MLAs are now on break and working in their constituencies until the mid-February start of the Spring 2026 session.
On November 28 Rotchford as the new Parliamentary Secretary for Armed Forces Development & Veterans Affairs said in the Legislative Assembly that she acknowledges the members of the Canadian Armed Forces who’ll be spending the holiday season away from their loved ones. “Your service and sacrifice do not go unrecognized” said Rotchford.
===== RELATED:
- Look West economic growth plan launched in BC (November 17, 2025)
- NEWS SECTIONS: 43rd PARLIAMENT of BC | BC NDP