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The Public Affairs Update is your weekly insight, perspective and analysis on politics in British Columbia and Canada. This newsletter is brought to you by the largest, and most broadly-based business organization in the province, the BC Chamber of Commerce – the Voice of Business in B.C.
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| Chief of staff, deputy minister to the premier, auditor general named |
 This week, Premier Clark announced various appointments and re-appointments in Victoria. In the premier’s office: Dan Doyle, first appointed on September 24, 2012, will continue as chief of staff to the premier; and John Dyble, first appointed on March 14, 2011, will continue as deputy minister to the premier.
In addition, Russ Jones has taken over as auditor general after his predecessor John Doyle left to pursue a position in Australia. Jones was sworn in as acting auditor general last Monday, and his appointment will run until an independent committee of the legislative assembly finds a new permanent auditor general.
In March, the B.C. government amended the Auditor General Act to limit future auditor general appointments to single eight-year terms, versus the previous six-year term, with the option of a second six-year term renewal. The next auditor general chosen by the legislative committee will have an eight-year term. |
| B.C. formally rejects Northern Gateway pipeline |
| The B.C. government has formally rejected the Northern Gateway pipeline proposal. In a final written submission to the Northern Gateway panel, the government states that it cannot support the project as presented because Northern Gateway has been unable to address British Columbians’ environmental concerns.
Minister of Environment Terry Lake stated that, “questions were not satisfactorily answered during these hearings” and that he is urging the panel not to grant a certificate for the pipeline proposal.
British Columbia will be presenting oral final arguments to the Joint Review panel when hearings recommence in Terrace on June 17, based on B.C.’s final written submission. |
| NDP wins seat in Coquitlam-Maillardville |
There will be a judicial recount in the electoral district of Coquitlam-Maillardville, after the final count of absentee ballots put Selina Mae Robinson, the NDP candidate in last month’s provincial election, ahead by 35 votes. However, since the winning margin was less than 0.2 per cent of the total ballots cast, or 43 votes, a judicial recount of all the ballots was mandated. The date for the recount has yet to be set.
Previously, on election night, BC Liberal candidate Steve Kim had won the Coquitlam-Maillardville riding by 105 votes.
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| Premier Clark to name her executive council June 7 |
| On Friday, June 7, Premier Christy Clark will announce her cabinet at an event in Vancouver, at a venue open to the public.
Premier Clark’s cabinet will be officially sworn in at Government House in Victoria on June 10. |
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