NORTH Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Naomi Yamamoto was named as minister of state for tourism and small business in Premier Christy Clark's new cabinet Friday, while veteran West Vancouver-Capilano MLA Ralph Sultan was conspicuously absent from the roster.
Clark made the cabinet announcement against a backdrop of Vancouver's working port at Canada Place Friday afternoon, naming a mix of 19 returning and new political faces to cabinet posts.
In naming Yamamoto, Clark praised the "tremendous" progress the North Vancouver MLA has made working with small business, adding B.C. is determined to be the most "small business friendly" province in the country.
Yamamoto said Friday she was "thrilled" and excited to be returning to her cabinet post. "Small business plays such a significant part of our provincial economy," she said.
Yamamoto was the only North Shore MLA named to the cabinet by Clark, who left returning MLAs Sultan and Jane Thornthwaite - as well as newcomer Jordan Sturdy - sitting on the back bench.
Speaking after the announcement on Friday, Sultan - who was appointed to cabinet by Clark for the first time last year - acknowledged he was disappointed, if philosophical, about not making the cut this time.
"Would I rather be in cabinet? Yes, I'd rather be in cabinet. But it's her choice and I support it fully. It's going to be a good cabinet whether I'm in it or not," he said.
"I support the cabinet fully and I support the premier fully." Sultan refused to directly address speculation that he was passed over for not volunteering to step down so Clark could run in a by-election in West Vancouver.
He acknowledged there had been discussion about the possibility of his stepping aside, but added, "there were many discussions going on concurrently" with other MLAs.
Sultan said he made it clear to constituents who asked "My intention was and is to serve out my four years as MLA for West Vancouver-Capilano. I made no secret of that."
Sultan added being a backbencher has its advantages. "I can do pretty well anything I damn well please and I intend to," he said. "I'm not going to be a humble little mouse in the back row. You'll notice Ralph."
In announcing the cabinet, Clark's speech emphasized many of the same themes driven home during the election campaign - the importance of jobs and the economy.
Doug McArthur, professor of public policy at Simon Fraser University, said it wasn't entirely surprising that Yamamoto was included in the cabinet while Sultan was left out.
"She wants people who will fall in line," he said.
