Our new premier is wasting no time making her mark on the province. In a few short weeks she managed to trim the cabinet by six members, bring HST dissident Blair Lekstrom back into the inner Liberal fold (including a cabinet position) and perhaps most importantly for many in B.C., she's upped the minimum wage to $8.75 effective May 1.
So far it would appear the lady means business. And whatever you may think of Christy Clark it's hard not to give her points on shrewdness.
First off is her choice of cabinet ministers. She retained all three of her major competitors in the recent Liberal leadership race - a good move for the Liberal party.
Kevin Falcon, runner up in the Feb. 26 contest, received the all-important portfolio of finance and is now deputy premier of the province. And although Colin Hansen might be the first person in B.C. to send a sympathy note to Falcon, for the most part the business community is pleased with Clark's choice. And Falcon, as a Metro Vancouver MLA, is a good choice to woo the urban vote.
By all accounts the third place candidate in the leadership race, George Abbott is a good choice for education minister. And while he will face tough negotiations at the bargaining table later this year with the teachers' union, his mostly conciliatory manner should stand him in good stead in the talks.
The one ministerial appointment that would seem a head-scratcher is the choice of Shirley Bond as solicitor general and public safety minister. While her background doesn't appear to have any noticeable qualifications for the post, time will tell.
Returning the popular Peace River MLA Blair Lekstrom speaks volumes on Clark's desire to put the Campbell years behind her and the party. Lekstrom who left the caucus to sit as an Independent last June over the way the HST was implemented, is a reasoned man who took an ethical stand against the government for his constituents, a rare quality in politics. Watch for him to go places in Clark's government.
Kudos to Clark for coming through on her promise to raise the minimum wage, it's a move that's long overdue. And while we're very aware this change will have an impact on business owners, particularly small retail outlets, it's not conscionable that we as a society pay low prices on the backs of those who can least afford it. And to date, low wages have not meant low food, fuel or housing prices, it's just meant that there are many who couldn't afford to eat, rent or stay warm.
While it's far too early to predict what the future has in store for B.C. with Clark at the helm, right now we're optimistic. Carry on Christy.
