With the recent appointment of a new cabinet under Premier Christy Clark, it occurred to me that I should share some of the “ins and outs” of government.
I am often asked how things work in Victoria and how the government functions, so I’ve done my best to explain it below.
Premier Clark is our government’s leader and “first minister.” She is responsible for shaping and implementing the various policies and general direction of the government. The premier also serves as the president of the executive council or cabinet, which is the other major decision-making body within the realm of government.
The executive council, or cabinet, is made up of government MLAs selected by the premier to oversee the major areas of social and economic sectors within British Columbia.
These cabinet ministers each oversee a portfolio ranging from education to health, to forestry, to social development. As a whole, the cabinet members work with the premier to maintain programs in each ministry, while staying within the budgets allocated to them. Another branch of government here in B.C. is the lieutenant governor. Our lieutenant governor is the Honorable Steven L. Point whose role is to act as a representative of the Canadian Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. He carries out ceremonial, as well as constitutional acts and is often tasked with such duties as recalling and dissolving the legislature, swearing in the executive council and granting royal ascent — turning a bill into a law. Finally, one other area is government caucus, which is made up of MLAs from across the province to form the remainder of members on the government side of the legislature. Within caucus there are often roles such as parliamentary secretaries that provide cabinet ministers with additional support in their respective portfolios. I am part of caucus and am the parliamentary secretary for economic regional development, a role I am enthusiastic about as I work towards finding new ways to serve the people of British Columbia through creating jobs and strengthening our economy.
Donna Barnett is the Liberal Cariboo Chilcotin MLA.