Monday October 24, 2022 | VICTORIA, BC [Updated 4:15 am October 25, 2022]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
With premier designate David Eby at the podium in the NDP caucus room at the BC Legislature, today there was a hearty round of applause for Eby and to acknowledge outgoing Premier John Horgan.
Media was invited in for a few quick photos of the caucus crowd and those few moments of acknowledgement between incoming and outgoing leader.
In brief remarks, Eby thanked Premier John Horgan who was standing alongside the caucus group, with Eby at the podium. It was a significant transitional moment for Horgan who has devoted his political career to the BC NDP since 2005, and who carried the well-being of all British Columbians through wildfires, the COVID pandemic, and the beginnings of economic recovery.
Horgan has often spoken of rejuvenating the New Democratic Party with younger leaders. That pivotal moment was officially captured by supporters today, when Horgan entered the room with 46-year-old Eby at his side to take his place.
“I want to thank our friends from the media for being here. I’m really thrilled and excited to be here in Victoria with my colleagues and really looking forward to starting work, and it’s an exciting time,” Eby said at the podium.
Then the caucus got right down to work.
Among other things, Eby is expected to roll out some new action on NDP initiatives in the housing file (including legalization of secondary suites in all municipalities).
Eby has offered a benchmark of his success by last week introducing what he hopes to achieve in the first 100 days of his leadership as premier, including “a more prosperous future that we all deserve”.
Transition:
Transition at the top involves complex administrative things like Eby reading all the ministry reports and perhaps looking to revise mandate letters for each ministry. Names on official documentation likely runs deep in legislative materials.
In the room:
In the applauding crowd were key ministers and long-time Horgan supporters — now enthusiastically behind Eby.
The crowd assembled for the photo-op included Health Minister Adrian Dix, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation Ravi Kahlon, Children and Family Development Minister Mitzi Dean, Solicitor General and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, Minister of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship Josie Osborne, Finance Minister Selina Robinson, Minister of Forests Katrine Conroy, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity Grace Lore, Parliamentary Secretary for TransLink Bowinn Ma, Agriculture and Food Minister Lana Popham, Deputy Speaker Spencer Chandra Herbert, Environment and Climate Change Minister George Heyman, Minister of State for Child Care Katrina Chen, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare, and many others.
Joining caucus in the room today was former deputy premier and Finance Minister Carole James (who retired from elected office in 2020 based on her diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease), for whom there will be an evening celebration at the Victoria Conference Centre.
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===== RELATED:
Eby addresses supporters upon becoming BC NDP leader (October 21, 2022)
Horgan meets with Trudeau during last days as premier (October 21, 2022)
Horgan addresses media after Eby declared new Premier (October 20, 2022)