B.C.'s premier-designate officially invited to form government
David Eby met with the B.C. Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin Wednesday afternoon, bringing him one step closer to assuming the role of premier.
A date for his swearing-in has not been set, but he reiterated that his hope is to take over the job before the end of the legislative session and that he has accepted Austin's invitation for him to form government.
"I can't wait to get to work," Eby said.
"Usually a government would adjourn the legislative session for transition to take place. That's not what we've done. We have this session happening right now while the transition is also happening. So my goal and my hope is to be sworn in as premier and be able to sit in the legislature during this session to be accountable in that way. But also, I'm hopeful to be able to deliver on some key priority areas even in the short time that remains in the session."
Outgoing Premier John Horgan has tendered his official resignation, which Austin said in a statement that she has accepted.
Eby has already been assembling his core team, including a new chief of staff and a new head of the public service. The team guiding him as he takes on the province's top job includes former finance minister Carole James.
Eby, who was the former attorney general and housing minister, was declared the head of the governing NDP last week following the abrupt end of the party’s leadership race.
On Friday, the premier-designate said his focus in his first 100 days will be launching initiatives to expand affordable housing, shift fossil fuel subsidies to clean energy, and improve the province’s struggling health-care system.
"When that that 100 days starts and I'm sworn in, the work will begin," Eby said Wednesday.
"The issues of housing, health care and public safety are issues that we need to address in a really aggressive and urgent way."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
BREAKING Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Police make arrests in grandparent scam that defrauded victims out of $739K
Ontario Provincial Police say they have 'disrupted' an organized crime group that allegedly used an emergency grandparent scam to defraud seniors across Canada out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.