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
WATCH LIVE | Johnston calls allegations of bias 'quite simply false' as MPs question him on foreign interference role
Canada's special rapporteur on foreign interference David Johnston is being questioned by MPs at committee about his role, his report into election meddling, his decision against a public inquiry, and allegations of a conflict of interest.

What's behind the increase in orca-human interactions, boat attacks? Here’s what an expert thinks
The number of interactions between killer whales and humans has increased alarmingly in recent years. CTVNews.ca asked an expert to explain the reasons behind the increase in interactions, explore the types of encounters, and examine the implications for both humans and killer whales.
Prince Harry testifies the tabloids destroyed his childhood, but fails to recall specific stories
Prince Harry entered a courtroom witness box Tuesday, swearing to tell the truth in testimony against a tabloid publisher he accuses of phone hacking and other unlawful snooping.
Feds warn 2023 on track to be the worst fire season ever seen in Canada
Canada's emergency preparedness minister says images of wildfires burning across the country are some of the most severe ever witnessed in Canada and the current forecast for the next few months indicates the potential for continued higher-than-normal fire activity.
Parents being stretched thin saving up for children's education: survey
Many Canadian parents are stretching themselves thin — even going as far as to postpone their retirement in some cases — in order to help pay for their children’s education, according to a new survey.
Multiple investigations underway after B.C. woman’s suspicious death in Australia
Police in Australia are investigating the suspicious death of a woman who used to live in Surrey, BC, after her body was found in her apartment on the outskirts of Sydney.
Ukraine dam collapse triggers emergency, Moscow and Kyiv trade blame
The wall of a major dam in a part of southern Ukraine that Moscow controls collapsed Tuesday, triggering floods, endangering Europe's largest nuclear power plant and threatening drinking water supplies as both sides in the war rushed to evacuate residents and blamed each other for the emergency.
What is the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine and what happened?
A huge Soviet-era dam on the Dnipro River that separates Russian and Ukrainian forces in southern Ukraine was breached on Tuesday, unleashing floodwaters across the war zone.
Astrud Gilberto, singer of 'The Girl from Ipanema,' dead at 83
Astrud Gilberto, the Brazilian singer, songwriter and entertainer whose off-hand, English-language cameo on 'The Girl from Ipanema' made her a worldwide voice of bossa nova, has died at age 83.