Just under three months since the end of a tumultuous spring legislative session and with just over seven weeks until the scheduled start of the fall legislative session, the pace of politics in BC shows no sign of a summer slowdown.
Eby Shuffles Executive Council
On August 14, BC Premier David Eby shuffled senior members of the Executive Council.
The move came after Finance Minister Brenda Bailey’s announcement the previous day that she will be taking six weeks off for cancer treatment starting at the end of August and returning for the legislative session when it starts on October 5.
The Executive Council changes effective August 14 are:
- Josie Osborne to Minister of Finance from Minister of Health
- Ravi Kahlon from Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth to Minister of Health
- Brenda Bailey will return from her leave to become Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, a role she filled from 2022-2024.
Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Adrian Dix will fill in for Minister Bailey in both JEG and his current ministry during her treatment.
Minister Osborne has been a member of the Treasury Board for the duration of the fiscal plan, and has led four ministries prior to this new appointment.
Peter Milobar Leaves BC Conservative Caucus
Also on August 14, MLA Peter Milobar (Kamloops Centre) announced he is leaving the BC Conservative caucus to sit as an Independent effective immediately. A former mayor of Kamloops who was first elected as an MLA in 2017 and served in both the BC Liberal and BC United caucuses, Milobar was elected as a BC Conservative in 2024 and ran for that party’s leadership in May 2026.
Milobar’s statement noted that his ‘values do not align with this new direction’ of the BC Conservative party and that ‘he will have more to say about the road ahead in the days to come.’
Summer has seen new BC Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay making sweeping shifts to both the caucus and the party machinery, replacing previous team members with those from high-profile, right-wing influencer networks.
Crisis Response and Tariffs Dominate the Agenda
Wildfire response will remain a priority for the province through summer, with the impact of trade negotiations with the Trump administration also high on the provincial agenda.
The Premier was in Penticton this week where he met with local mayors, First Nations leadership, firefighters, emergency personnel and community organizations on the frontlines of wildfire response. Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Kelly Greene declared a provincial state of emergency on August 8 following recommendations from the BC Wildfire Service.
Minister Bailey released the province’s Public Accounts on August 10, with the audited financial statements showing for fiscal year 2025-26, BC’s deficit was $7.7 billion, which is $3.2 billion lower than the forecast in Budget 2025.
The next provincial budget is targeted for February 2027 with work underway to finalize priorities throughout what promises to be another dynamic and unpredictable legislative session.
If you are struggling to keep up with the pace of politics, contact us today to find out how Hilltop can help you stay ready no matter what comes next.