Last week, Premier David Eby issued ministerial mandate letters for all members of Executive Council (Cabinet). These provide some insight into priorities for each ministry going forward, but aren’t the only thing that guides ministerial decision-making.

These letters differ from past mandate letters, in that they contain a lot more political philosophy than past letters, and they also reference the previous mandate letters as still being relevant.

All letters include references to Premier Eby’s top priorities:

• attainable and affordable housing
• safer communities
• improved health care
• a sustainable, clean, secure, and fair economy

Outlined below are priorities that concern the BC Tourism & Hospitality Community:

Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

• Continue to work with the tourism and hospitality sectors in rural and urban communities to ensure sustained recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Maintain work with B.C. host cities and organizers of upcoming marquee events – Grey Cup in 2024, Invictus Games in 2025 and FIFA world cup in 2026 – to ensure they provide positive benefits for businesses, communities, and the tourism sector.

Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness

• Support urgent coordinated government response to communities in times of emergency through Emergency Management BC and review systems to ensure they are prepared for urgent response, incorporating lessons learned from previous emergencies.

Ministry of Finance

• Expanding the Speculation and Vacancy Tax to new communities to deliver more homes for people.

Ministry of Housing

• Introduce legislation establishing new tools for local governments to help them better regulate short-term rentals in their communities;

Ministry of Municipal Affairs

• Support the work of the Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness to co-develop and introduce modernized emergency management legislation.

Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills

• Recognizing the global trend of labour shortages, deliver StrongerBC’s Future Ready Skills plan with clear actions to continue expanding access to affordable, accessible, and relevant training so British Columbians have the skills they need for the jobs of the future.
• With support from the Minister of State for Workforce Development, lead work to recruit and retain people to build a skilled and flexible workforce in B.C.’s changing economy, and support career paths for skilled immigrants and services that give immigrants and refugees a strong start.

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

• Supporting B.C. restaurants and hospitality businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, capping food delivery app fees and making permanent initiatives that were implemented during the pandemic, including the expansion of service areas and allowing restaurants and pubs to purchase alcohol at wholesale cost.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be learning a lot more about how Premier Eby’s government will function and look forward to communicating the our advocacy activities with our members as always. 

Please find all of the mandate letters here:
​ https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/organizational-structure/cabinet/cabinet-ministers