Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett appointed cabinet minister

As expected Bill Bennett was appointed last Friday by BC Premier Christy Clark to a high-profile position within her government, taking on the dual role of Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review.

This is the second time Bill Bennett has been the Minister of Energy and Mines. The new portion of his portfolio will be the responsibility to conduct the government's core review.

Premier Christy Clark cited Bill Bennett's ability to cut through red tape as being handy in his new role as Minister of Core Review. She also specifically mentioned the overseeing of Site-C dam project and the continued development and importance of BC natural resources as being additional responsibilities.

Bill Bennett was a popular choice with the mining and resource sector previously and should prove to be a popular choice again. The new BC cabinet will be officially sworn in on Monday.

Other government ministers included...

• Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Gas and Housing, Rich Coleman.
• Finance Minister, Mike de Jong.
• Forests, Land and Natural Resources, Steve Thomson.
• Health Minister, Terry Lake.
• Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister, John Rustad.
• Education Minister, Peter Fassbender.
• Advanced Education Minister, Amrik Virk.
• Transportation and Infrastructure Minister, Todd Stone.
• Social Development Minister, Don McRea.
• Technology and Citizen Services Minister, Andrew Wilkinson.
• Children and Families Minister, Stephanie Cadieux.
• Community Sport and Cultural Development Minister, Coralee Oakes.
• International Trade and Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism Minister, Theresa Wats.
• Justice Minister and Attorney General, Suzanne Anton.
• Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training Minister and Minister Responsible for Labour, Shirley Bond.
• Environment Minister, Mary Polak.
• Agriculture Minister, Pat Pimm.
• Small Business and Tourism Minister, Naomi Yamamoto.