By Nikki Hill and Danielle Dalzell
What to expect as the new premier takes the helm
On Friday, November 18, David Eby was sworn in as premier of British Columbia in a ceremony at the Musqueam Community Center in Vancouver. It was a departure from the usual location of Government House in Victoria, and Premier Eby called it a “powerful symbol” of a shared vision for the province with Indigenous Peoples.
Outgoing Premier John Horgan also took part in the proceedings hosted by the Musqueam Nation and Chief Wayne Sparrow which included a traditional blanketing ceremony. Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin presided over the swearing-in itself and administered the oaths of office.
Many speakers, including emcee Joy McPhail, noted Eby’s record of taking on big problems and seeing them through to a solution, using his experience as minister responsible for ICBC as one example.
Premier Eby expressed gratitude for John Horgan’s leadership, noting as he takes over the role of premier, “I am not as tall as I look because I’m standing on the shoulders of John Horgan.”
In his remarks, Eby focused on affordable housing, community safety, health care, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and the climate crisis, in the backdrop of the pandemic and multiple crises over the past few years..
He also announced two new cost-of-living credits for B.C. residents and businesses:
- a one-time $100 cost-of-living credit for BC Hydro customers – equivalent to one month of electricity charges for most single-family homeowners; and
- a new BC Affordability Credit to help low- and middle-income earners with rising costs.
What’s next
The pace of government work has not appeared to slow through the transition period, and the new premier will hit the ground running with an announcement this weekend addressing public safety, the root causes of crime, and mental health and addictions.
On Monday, the provincial government will introduce new legislation to address the housing crisis and increase the housing supply. Premier Eby noted in the days and weeks ahead there will be announcements on health care to support workers, and build on the commitments of CleanBC to “build a strong and secure economy and fight climate change at the same time…. building on the strong foundation our government has laid.”
Premier Eby has also made significant commitments over the past few weeks. He announced his intention to have the province take on a coordinating and leadership role to deal with the crisis on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, including a medium- and long-term plan to coordinate resources and track outcomes.
Eby also outlined a 100-day plan immediately after he was named leader of the BC NDP, to significantly expand available and affordable housing, create safer communities, improve access to healthcare, redirect fossil fuel subsidies to clean energy, and accelerate action on old growth forest protection
Premier Eby concluded his remarks today by saying, “we’re going to fight for you every day, we’re going to deliver for you. My team and I are going to be dedicated to that task, all hands on deck. We want you to join us, because we can’t do it alone.”
A cabinet swearing-in will be held on December 7th.
