North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Bowinn Ma has been named B.C.’s minister of infrastructure.
At a swearing-in ceremony for his new government on Monday, re-elected Premier David Eby appointed the three-term MLA to the role.
Ma is moving on from her previous role as the province’s first minister of emergency management and climate readiness, after that appointment in 2022.
Starting this term, the former Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has been split into two departments, with Ma overseeing infrastructure. Transportation will be handled by former solicitor general Mike Farnworth, who has been named minister of transportation and transit.
At face value, the infrastructure file appears to be a similar post to what Ma was given when she was first sworn into cabinet as the minister of state for infrastructure in 2020.
But the MLA says her new appointment is completely different from her past role, which was a junior post under the minister of transportation and infrastructure.
“This appointment now is to build a new ministry designed to deliver capital projects better,” Ma said.
The new Ministry of Infrastructure will bring capital planning and procurement into a single department, which will allow for better co-ordination when the government is building schools, hospitals and other infrastructure to support growing communities, she said.
From planning through to delivery, the ministry will be responsible for building things like post-secondary institutions, court houses, jails and hospitals, Ma added.
“The creation of this new ministry will not slow down any projects,” she said. “It is being created to speed things up and improve our delivery of what is currently a record level of capital investment by the B.C. government.”
Ma said she’s honoured to take on the role.
“Building schools, hospitals and other infrastructure is a top priority for David Eby’s government,” she said. “We know that families and communities are counting on us to deliver for them, and that’s what this new ministry will be built to do.”
Meanwhile, North Vancouver-Seymour MLA Susie Chant has been named parliamentary secretary for seniors' services and long-term care. Formerly, she was the parliamentary secretary for accessibility.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Official Opposition under BC Conservative Leader John Rustad had yet to form a shadow cabinet.
This article has been updated with comment from Bowinn Ma.
