NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Office of the Premier 2002OTP0023-000617 June 5, 2001 NEW STRUCTURE FOR GOVERNMENT AND CABINET WILL ENSURE OPENNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY VICTORIA – Premier Gordon Campbell was sworn in today and unveiled a structure for government and Cabinet that is designed to make his government the most open and accountable in Canada. "I want to ensure that my government is open, accessible and accountable to all British Columbians," said Campbell. "My government is committed to renewing public health care, building a top-notch education system, creating new services and opportunities for First Nations, revitalizing B.C.'s competitive position in the global economy and delivering strong environmental protection. We are also committed to changing the way decisions are made to involve British Columbians and ensure accountability in meeting these priorities. "The new government structure we have implemented today will expand opportunities for public input. It will co-ordinate responsibilities in a way that makes services more accessible. And it will harness the broad talents of government members to ensure excellence and accountability in fulfilling the government's responsibilities." There are 21 ministries. In addition, seven Ministers of State have been appointed, with responsibility for delivering key government commitments in health care, children's development, community services, competition and intergovernmental relations. Ministers of State will be full members of Cabinet and will work in partnership with government Ministers to provide a new level of accountability in meeting specific commitments. They will also increase public access and responsiveness for larger ministry portfolios. Four Ministers are responsible for specific health-care priorities, to reflect the importance of public health care and to ensure proper management of health-care resources. The Ministry of Health Planning is dedicated to improving long-term planning for the health needs of British Columbians. All health services are now integrated under the Ministry of Health Services to provide proper co-ordination of government resources. The Minister of State for Mental Health and the Minister of State for Intermediate, Long Term and Home Care are responsible for meeting government commitments in these crucial areas. Three Ministers are responsible for specific education priorities, reflecting the government's commitment to expand opportunities for all British Columbians in the new economy. The Ministry of Skills Development and Labour will work in partnership with the Ministry of Advanced Education to increase the number of talented workers in areas of high demand. -2- Two Ministers have responsibility for aboriginal issues, reflecting the government's resolve to negotiate fair, honourable treaty settlements and also to work actively to provide services for First Nations to address crucial social and economic challenges. The Attorney General is Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations. Services designed to build capacity and opportunities for First Nations are given full priority as part of the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services. The ministry brings together community services that were spread across different portfolios, and provides better co-ordination of resources and dedicated support for local governments, aboriginals and women. "My government is committed to addressing the social and economic challenges that First Nations face, including aboriginals living in urban communities," said Campbell. "The creation of a new ministry with specific responsibility for improving community services for aboriginal people ensures these challenges are made a priority." The Minister of State for Women's Equality ensures that measures to advance women's equality become an integral part of services and support to communities. Several initiatives will fuel new economic growth. The Ministry of Competition, Science and Enterprise brings together government programs dedicated to building a more competitive business climate, particularly in the key industries of technology, science and tourism. It also has responsibility for eliminating all taxpayer-funded subsidies to business. The Minister of State for Deregulation will lead a review of regulations across government ministries. Its goal is to identify and to eliminate unnecessary barriers to investment and job creation, and will make sure all new regulations protect the public interest while encouraging new growth. The government is also committed to ensuring the strongest environmental protection while delivering a fair, efficient process for land-use approvals. The Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection is responsible for environmental protection. The Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management brings together all information, planning and approval processes related to land-use decisions under a single portfolio. This integrated process for land-use decisions will help strengthen investment and job creation while ensuring strong environmental protection. "This new government structure is a crucial first step in providing greater accountability and in delivering our commitments to renew hope and opportunities for all British Columbians," Campbell said. -30- THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA JUNE 5, 2001 Honourable Gordon Campbell Premier Honourable Greg Halsey-Brandt Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations Honourable Shirley Bond Advanced Education -3- Honourable John van Dongen Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Honourable Geoff Plant Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations Honourable Gordon Hogg Children and Family Development Honourable Linda Reid Minister of State for Early Childhood Development Honourable George Abbott Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services Honourable Ted Nebbeling Minister of State for Community Charter Honourable Lynn Stephens Minister of State for Women's Equality Honourable Rick Thorpe Competition, Science and Enterprise Honourable Kevin Falcon Minister of State for Deregulation Honourable Christy Clark Education and Deputy Premier Honourable Richard Neufeld Energy and Mines Honourable Gary Collins Finance Honourable Michael de Jong Forests Honourable Sindi Hawkins Health Planning Honourable Colin Hansen Health Services Honourable Gulzar Cheema Minister of State for Mental Health Honourable Katherine Whittred Minister of State for Intermediate, Long Term and Home Care -4- Honourable Murray Coell Human Resources Honourable Sandy Santori Management Services Honourable Bill Barisoff Provincial Revenue Honourable Rich Coleman Public Safety and Solicitor General Honourable Graham Bruce Skills Development and Labour Honourable Stan Hagen Sustainable Resource Management Honourable Judith Reid Transportation Honourable Joyce Murray Water, Land and Air Protection -30- Visit the province's Web site at http://www.gov.bc.ca/ for online information and services..