May 30, 2005

Government Re-organization

The executive of the government of British Columbia will soon be restructured. Under the authority of Section 13 of the Constitution Act, an Order in Council (OIC) will be adopted that will name the ministries and set out the responsibilities of each ministry for the second term of the Campbell government.

An OIC is a signed decision made by the Executive Council, cabinet. Premier Campbell restructured government on June 5, 2001, made minor shifts of responsibility on October 26, 2001, changed a few Secretary of State (Minister without portfolio) positions on January 26, 2004 and dealt with some resignations in the final months of his first term. The announcement of the new cabinet, expected in mid-June, could see a significant restructuring.

BC is one of just three provinces that don't have the word "environment" in the name of one of their ministries. Manitoba has a Minister of Conservation and Quebec has a Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife rather than a Minister of the Environment. NDP Leader Carole James has called on Campbell to reinstate BC's Ministry of the Environment. That is more than changing a name and shuffling the reporting responsibilities of a few assistant deputy ministers. It is a question of whether someone should sit at the cabinet table with responsibility for being an advocate for the environment and whether enforcement of environmental regulations receives equal or greater priority with economic development.

A scan of the organization of provincial governments across the country shows that the size of cabinets and the names of ministries are open to one's imagination. Alberta has a "Minister of Gaming" (as opposed to a Minister FOR Gaming); at the rate gambling is expanding in BC, that is something Campbell may consider. Manitoba has a "Minister for Healthy Living" as well as a Minister of Health. Nova Scotia has a "Minister of Health Promotion" as well as a Minister of Health. Ontario has a "Minister of Culture", something that takes a backseat in most governments, although Quebec also has a "Minister of Culture and Communications".

Governments with large majorities may appoint ministers for reasons of regional, ethnic or gender balance, while others name some ministries in order to alert the public that a particular issue is receiving priority treatment. Campbell could have a problem with those who are in cabinet and re-elected expecting to be re-appointed to the same or a better position, yet he has only four vacancies from the resignation or defeat of ministers with portfolio. Wally Oppal will be made Attorney General, and a high profile spot has to be found for Carole Taylor. That leaves very little room for both downsizing the cabinet and bringing in new blood from those who were first elected in 2001. The vastly reduced backbench knows that Oppal and Taylor deprived them of their chance for promotion. Even the second prize of "Minister of State" is less likely to be available when the need to downsize is considered. Five who held that title were defeated.

At the time of the May 17th election, BC had 20 ministers with portfolio, one of whom is the Premier, and 8 ministers without portfolio. If nothing changes as a result of recounts, and Campbell continues with a cabinet of 28 members, it would mean that his backbench would number only 16 (one Liberal MLA would be the Speaker). Those numbers are relevant both for internal caucus politics, and for space allocation within the legislative precincts. Backbenchers are more likely to feel ignored and angry if the front bench is larger than the backbench. Watch for Campbell to downsize his cabinet in the name of efficiency when he is really dealing with a consequence of a downsized caucus.

Cabinet ministers, with or without portfolio, have big offices and support staff housed within the legislative building. A government backbench with 8 fewer members than the Official Opposition would have a hard time claming that it should be given priority in space allocation. This time Campbell cannot get away with housing the Opposition over the exhaust fan for the legislative dining room.