The BC Liberal Party has announced its shadow cabinet under the new leader Shirley Bond.
And, all three Central Okanagan MLAs are set to play key roles in the opposition caucus.
The first-term MLA for Kelowna-Mission Renee Merrifield will take over Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick91Ƶs former place as health critic. Ben Stewart has moved from critic for trade and citizens91Ƶ services to the critic for housing.
Letnick has moved out of a critic position and will instead take on the assistant deputy speaker role in the house.
Merrifield, a self-admitted 91Ƶrookie91Ƶ politician who has never before held public office, is being thrust into one of the Liberal Party91Ƶs most prominent positions as the health critic in the middle of a pandemic. It91Ƶs an opportunity, she said, she was shocked to be offered but honoured to take on.
91ƵWhat I lack in experience, I91Ƶm going to make up for in hard work, diligence, passion, excitement and ultimately, learning,91Ƶ she said.
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Letnick received bi-partisan accolades for his work early in the pandemic, specifically for setting up town halls across party lines. Merrifield said she91Ƶs looking to continue building upon what Letnick laid the groundwork for.
Previously, Merrifield served on the Interior Health board of directors from 2015 through 2017.
For his new role as housing critic, Stewart is hoping to hold the government to account on what he describes as
91ƵI haven91Ƶt been particularly impressed with the results of the government 91Ƶ in terms of housing affordability and housing supply,91Ƶ said Stewart. 91ƵThree years ago, it was all about making life more affordable. I91Ƶm sorry, but I don91Ƶt think it is more affordable.91Ƶ
As for Letnick, he said he is looking forward to embracing his position as the assistant deputy speaker under the party91Ƶs interim leader. The assistant deputy speaker presides over debate in the assembly if both the speaker and deputy speaker are absent.
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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