Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons has been named caucus chair for the NDP provincial government led by premier David Eby. He lost his ministerial post when the new premier named his new cabinet on December 7.
“I’m looking forward to taking on this important new role and pulling the entire team together so we can all continue our work, taking on the issues that are important to people,” stated Simons in a media release from the BC government caucus.
Simons was appointed BC’s minister of social development and poverty reduction by former premier John Horgan after the 2020 general election. In addition to his responsibilities as minister, Simons was vice-chair of the cabinet committee on social initiatives.
He has been replaced in the ministry by Sheila Malcolmson, who was previously minister for mental health and addictions. She represents the constituency of Nanaimo.
The Peak has reached out to Simons for comment.
Simons was first elected MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2020.
The new cabinet is as follows:
Premier: David Eby
Agriculture and Food: Pam Alexis
Attorney General: Niki Sharma
Children and Family Development: Mitzi Dean
Citizens’ Services: Lisa Beare
Education and Child Care: Rachna Singh
Minister of State for Child Care: Grace Lore
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness: Bowinn Ma
Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation: Josie Osborne
Environment and Climate Change Strategy: George Heyman
Finance (includes Columbia River Treaty): Katrine Conroy
Forests, and Minister Responsible for Consular Corps: Bruce Ralston
Health, and Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs: Adrian Dix
Housing, and Government House Leader: Ravi Kahlon
Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation: Murray Rankin
Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation: Brenda Bailey
Minister of State for Trade: Jagrup Brar
Labour: Harry Bains
Mental Health and Addictions: Jennifer Whiteside
Municipal Affairs: Anne Kang
Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills (includes immigration/foreign credentials): Selina Robinson
Minister of State for Workforce Development: Andrew Mercier
Public Safety and Solicitor General (ICBC), and Deputy Premier: Mike Farnworth
Social Development and Poverty Reduction: Sheila Malcolmson
Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport: Lana Popham
Transportation and Infrastructure (BC Transit and Translink): Rob Fleming
Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit: Dan Coulter
Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (Fisheries): Nathan Cullen
