BC cabinet sees changes as Brenda Bailey steps away for cancer treatments

Premier David Eby has made an announcement of changes to BC’s cabinet following Minister of Finance Brenda Bailey’s cancer diagnosis. 

Bailey recently revealed that she has been given a cancer diagnosis, but that her prognosis is favourable and the cancer was caught early. 

In light of Bailey’s diagnosis, Eby said that she would be stepping away from her duties for six weeks as she receives treatment, and because of this, some changes to his cabinet needed to be made. 

These changes will see Minister of Health Josie Osborne take over as Minister of Finance and Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon step in as Minister of Health. When Bailey comes back to work in October, she will be taking over as Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, a position she has held before. 

“Brenda’s deep connections to the business community are going to assist her in this role and ensure we’re poised for strong economic growth at a very challenging time,” said Eby. 

While Bailey is undergoing treatment, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix will be taking on Bailey’s ministerial duties. 

The premier noted that budget work is already well underway and that September is an intense month for budget preparations, but that work will be completed by the newly appointed Osborne in Bailey’s absence. 

“This is a very heavy workload, obviously, to carry while you are also going through cancer treatment—nobody should have to do that—and so Brenda will be going back to a file she knows and can excel at with a file she already knows and can pick up once she’s back,” he said. 

Bailey expressed her deep gratitude to those who have reached out and wished her well on her cancer treatment journey. 

“I just wanted to take a moment to thank the many very kind people that have reached out to me since I’ve shared this diagnosis with kind words of encouragement, and also for the truly excellent care I’ve been receiving at the BC Cancer Agency,” said Bailey. 

“My prognosis is very good, I expect to be there on the day that we’re back at the legislature in October and I thank my colleagues in finding what I think is quite an elegant solution—I get to be back on a file I am deeply committed to and know very well and I don’t slow down the budget process in the meantime.”

The BC legislative assembly will return to session on October 5th.