FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2026
Statement from Rob Botterell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, Finance Critic, and House Leader for the BC Greens:
“We are encouraged to hear that Minister Brenda Bailey’s cancer diagnosis is treatable, and we wish her strength and a full recovery in the months ahead.
Today’s cabinet shuffle comes at a challenging time for British Columbia. Health care remains one of the most pressing issues facing people across the province, which is why the BC Greens question the decision to move leadership out of the Health Ministry at this critical moment. The BC Greens will be watching closely to ensure this transition does not disrupt progress on addressing the health-care crisis. With responsibility for the government’s largest budget, Minister Kahlon faces significant expectations, and British Columbians need tangible results.
We hope both Minister Kahlon and Osbourne will embrace practical Green solutions that improve people’s lives and strengthen public services. This means investing in preventative health care, implementing a tax on the ultra-wealthy, addressing emergency room closures, and ensuring that public dollars are directed toward building healthier and more resilient communities.
We understand Minister Bailey is moving to the Jobs and Economic Growth file, but Minister for Climate Solutions Adrian Dix will temporarily oversee the ministry’s responsibilities. The BC Green Caucus hopes to see strong collaboration between his portfolios to accelerate investment in clean energy, energy efficiency, and the industries that will create good-paying union jobs across British Columbia. Building a sustainable economy and tackling the climate crisis must go hand-in-hand.
British Columbians expect the government to focus on the issues that matter most: affordability, health care, economic resilience, and climate action. The BC Green Caucus will continue working with our colleagues, constructively, to advance solutions that deliver results for communities throughout the province.”
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Media Contact
Ryan Hook
Press Secretary
BC Green Caucus
+1 (250) 882 6187 | Ryan.Hook@leg.bc.ca