There is something about elections that has always piqued my interest. I discovered a love of the election process when I was in Grade 5 and my class was studying governments.
Recently, B.C.’s new cabinet was announced, and I was eager to see the new ministerial appointments, with several coming from Vancouver Island, including Mitzi Dean, Murray Rankin, Sheila Malcolmson, Rob Fleming, Lana Popham and Josie Osborne.
Of the listed appointments, Osborne really stood out for me. She is a newly elected MLA and received the appointment to minister of municipal affairs. I think that is a true testament to the qualities Osborne will bring to the role.
Osborne was mayor of Tofino prior to being elected as MLA. It was the pandemic that sparked Osborne to put her name in the running for the MLA position.
“In March I was seeing the impact the pandemic had on my community, tourism, and businesses who had to lay off employees,” said Osborne. “I wanted to take this experience and scale up the work at a provincial level.”
As for making the jump from mayor of a small community to provincial minister, Osborne said: “B.C. is made up of communities of all sizes. I’m as comfortable in high heels as I am a plaid jacket.”
I think having a former mayor oversee B.C.’s municipal affairs is a wise choice. She has lived experience that can be brought to the forefront in her new role.
“It’s a role that is central to the relationships between local governments and the province,” said Osborne. “It’s an all-encompassing role.”
Osborne was also quick to note that with a role so rooted in relationship building, she acknowledges the importance of building and maintaining relationships with First Nations.
Osborne agrees her experience in municipal politics will aid her in this new role. She noted she can act as a translator of the needs of both local governments and the province : as she navigates her new role serving British Columbians.
“I understand the relationship and other components, like how funding programs are delivered, and the role Union of B.C. Municipalities plays,” said Osborne adding she has attended eight UBCM conferences.
I’ve met Osborne several times at housing conferences and at the UBCM conferences, in the context of my work in housing.
I was a little surprised to see housing removed from the portfolio of the minister of municipal affairs — previously Selina Robinson was minister of municipal affairs and housing and she did a fantastic job in that role.
Robinson is now minister of finance and in the new cabinet, housing has been added to the portfolio of Attorney General David Eby.
“Municipalities play a critical role on housing. I will be working directly with the Attorney General,” said Osborne.
As someone who works in housing, I am eager to see the work of Eby and Osborne on this issue.
I am excited to see what the new cabinet and its critics can bring to our provincial government. It takes courage and devotion to take on these roles and I admire anyone willing to take on the responsibility to serve British Columbians.
Charla Huber is the Director of Communications and Indigenous Relations for M’akola Housing Society.
