British Columbia Premier John Horgan has appointed Josie Osborne as Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship and Minister Responsible for Fisheries, and Nathan Cullen as Minister of Municipal Affairs.
As per a release, Horgan has also appointed MLA Doug Routley as Parliamentary Secretary for Forests to assist in the vital efforts of Minister Katrine Conroy to modernize forestry throughout British Columbia.
“The new ministry for land stewardship reflects the fact that natural resources are foundational to our province, and they are the backbone of many local economies,” said Premier Horgan. Minister Josie Osborne’s experience and skill will help government bring more predictability to the land base while protecting B.C.’s natural heritage and ensuring the benefits are shared more widely now and in the future.”
The formation of the Ministry of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship is in line with the government’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, protecting B.C.’s environment, and ensuring a robust economic recovery that benefits the entire population.
Osborne will collaborate with First Nations, local communities, and industry to create an ideal land and resource management vision that will promote collaborative decision-making regarding the land base and build the foundation for certainty and further opportunities for all.
As Minister of Municipal Affairs, Cullen will work with local authorities to assist their communities in recovering and strengthening after COVID-19 and extreme weather.
Cullen will assist municipalities in taking on their top priorities in everything from building infrastructure to solving the issues posed to neighborhoods and businesses due to homelessness.
“By working together and putting people first, we have laid the foundation for B.C. to come through these challenging times even stronger,” said Premier Horgan. “The people of B.C. can count on Josie, Nathan, and Doug to work hard every day to deliver on our commitments to build a stronger B.C. where no one is left behind.”
The fisheries, aquaculture, and wild salmon files, will be transferred to the new ministry. Fin Donnelly, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Aquaculture, will collaborate alongside Osborne as he continues his relationship with federal, First Nations, and local governments to protect fish habitat.
Josie Osborne seems like a great choice for Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship in BC. It’s awesome that she’s focusing on collaborating with Indigenous Peoples and communities for sustainable resource management. 🌿