Calling it the honour of her lifetime, Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Randene Neill has been appointed by premier David Eby to his cabinet.
Neill, on November 18, was sworn in as the minister of water, land and resource stewardship. She said she was surprised to receive the call from Eby, but was “absolutely thrilled” that he offered water, land and resource stewardship to her.
“It was the ministry that I most wanted,” said Neill. “Becoming elected and becoming a cabinet minister has been such a privilege, and the weight and responsibility keeps me up at night, but we’re ready to do it and I’m really excited.”
Neill said her attraction to the ministry came in part as a result of her responsibilities with the BC Parks Foundation, working as the communications lead, before she decided to run for the provincial office. She said a big part of her job was working with the team to create the conservation fund, which is a conservation financing mechanism to help support and protect 30 per cent of BC’s lands and waters by 2030.
“The ministry that I am now the minister of has a lot of work to do on that file, so I felt really drawn to it,” said Neill. “Also, with the dock management plan, we have a lot to do with that as well, understanding that we have to work together to further reconciliation and protect our environment. We can only succeed if we do it together.”
The shíshálh swiya dock management plan was developed to support responsible and appropriate dock development in the shíshálh swiya, according to a provincial media release.
The plan defines requirements for dock design and construction, and further identifies three zones where additional requirements or restrictions apply, the release stated. The plan aims to minimize impacts to marine resources, protect archaeological resources, address impacts of dock development and advance collaborative management between the shíshálh Nation in Sechelt and the province. There are areas in qathet region that are affected by the dock management plan.
Neill said the dock management advisory group has done a fantastic job in the Sunshine Coast region, working with dock owners, community groups and the waterfront protection coalition to come up with a set of guidelines that have now been approved and will be carried out.
“I’ve spoken to some dock owners and they’re still skeptical about what it means for them,” said Neill. “So, we have to keep talking, we have to keep working, and we have to ensure that we trust each other. We’re all on the same page. We’ve got each other’s backs and we’re going to work to make sure this is a success for all of us.”
Neill said part of the communications strategy will be listening to what the questions are, what the worries are, and the concerns, so moving forward, all have a solid understanding, and that it works for all concerned.
She said the dock management advisory management group has set out its recommendations that all the groups have agreed upon, so that’s already in place.
“Now, we’re just starting the implementation phase,” said Neill. “This is something that is new for all of us, so we need to make sure that people understand it, and that they are comfortable with it, registering their docks,” said Neill.
She acknowledges that coming from outside government, there is a steep learning curve to becoming an MLA and a cabinet minister on top of that.
“My absolute priority is working for the people of Powell River-Sunshine Coast,” said Neill. “It’s incredibly important to me. I’m available for anyone in the riding who has questions.
“As for my ministerial responsibilities, I have a big transition binder for the minister of water, land and resource stewardship that I need to read, understand and learn. So, that will be my reading, going to bed every single night.”
Becoming a cabinet minister will also require more travel to Victoria to get up to speed on her ministerial responsibilities.
“I had a long briefing with the team and I’m really excited,” said Neill. “It’s a steep learning curve but I’m up for it.
“This is now my life and I’m prepared for that. I am 100 per cent committed to it.”
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