VICTORIA — British Columbia Conservative Leader John Rustad says Premier David Eby’s new cabinet appears to be a taxpayer-funded loyalty program that rewards NDP caucus.

Eby introduced his new cabinet this week, which includes 23 ministers, four ministers of state and 14 parliamentary secretaries.

He also announced postings for caucus chair, deputy caucus chair, government whip, deputy government whip and nominees for deputy Speaker, Speaker and committee of the whole deputy chair.

Rustad says in a statement that Eby’s appointment of 42 of 47 MLAs to a cabinet or parliamentary secretary postings appears to be a “loyalty program for a premier desperate to cling to power.”

Members of the legislature earn an annual basic salary of more than $119,500, with cabinet ministers getting an extra $59,766, which is the same salary boost Rustad receives as Opposition Leader.

Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says in a statement that while Rustad is making claims about an expanded cabinet and promising to force an election, Eby and his team “gets to work on the priorities of British Columbians, like creating good-paying jobs, strengthening health care and delivering a $1,000 middle-class tax cut.”

Eby’s New Democrats were elected last month with 47 members, a one-seat majority in B.C.’s 93-seat legislature.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 20, 2024.

The Canadian Press