B.C.’s incoming NDP government has named some of the key players in the transition team that will help it form government.
The swearing in of the cabinet isn’t expected for a few weeks, but premier-designate John Horgan announced the appointments of a deputy minister, chief of staff and special adviser.
The NDP and Green party have a co-operation agreement. They hold a one-seat edge over the Liberals, who were defeated last week in a confidence vote in the legislature.
Don Wright, who announced in May that he would step down as CEO of Central 1 Credit Union, will take the position of deputy minister of executive council, cabinet secretary and head of the public service.
Vancouver Coun. Geoff Meggs will become Horgan’s chief of staff. Meggs resigned his council seat on Tuesday.
And Bob Dewar, who was recruited last year from Manitoba to help run the NDP’s election campaign, will stay on as a special adviser to the premier.
“As you can see from the names, we’ve got a diverse group of people who bring both private- and public-sector work and strength around the campaign as well,” said Victoria-Beacon Hill MLA Carole James, spokeswoman for the transition.
James could not say what their salaries will be.
Wright served as president of the B.C. Institute of Technology before taking the helm of Central 1 in 2014. He was deputy minister of B.C.’s Forestry and Education ministries, and secretary to B.C.’s Treasury Board.
He has served as vice-president of forestry, environment and corporate affairs for forest company Weldwood of Canada. Wright also acted as chief negotiator for the province in the softwood lumber negotiations with the United States and commissioner to review collective bargaining for teachers in B.C.
“That’s going to be a great skill and great experience,” James said. “People have huge respect from all political sides for the work Don has done.”
Meggs worked on the NDP’s campaign platform and James said his connections in local government would be an asset on issues such as housing.
He was elected under the Vision Vancouver banner in 2008. As a councillor, he worked on the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, the refinancing of the Olympic Village and expansion of cycling infrastructure.
Before leading the B.C. NDP’s election campaign, Dewar worked as executive director of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union. He served as chief of staff to former Manitoba premier Gary Doer.
