Colin Hansen, B.C.'s new Finance Minister, walked back into the office he vacated three years ago and sat down at his old desk for a meeting with the same senior bureaucrats he consulted the last time he served in this post. "There's even the same old, grungy couch," he observed Monday.
What has changed since he left is the new carbon tax, which comes into effect next week. It's the legacy of Carole Taylor, who was dropped from cabinet in yesterday's shuffle after she announced she won't seek re-election.
Wearing four-year-old lace-up Rockports that could have used a polish, Mr. Hansen said he won't try to fill the shoes of the Gucci-wearing Ms. Taylor.
But he will be wearing out his treads as he heads out to counter a growing "axe-the-tax" campaign led by the Opposition New Democratic Party.
"There are lots of people facing sticker shock when it comes to gasoline prices," he said in an interview Monday. "What people don't fully understand is they wind up with more money in their pocket. … It's important to spell out they are better off."
One of his first questions to his staff was about the "climate action dividend" cheques Ms. Taylor promised. The $100 cheques are supposed to be delivered to every British Columbian this month to offset the impact of the carbon tax. So far, few have arrived. There are 3.9 million "dividends" in the mail, and about 4.3 million British Columbians.
Premier Gordon Campbell made broad changes in this midterm shuffle to create what is likely to be the main lineup for next spring's election campaign. He called it a "mild" renewal, but the focus Monday was on the battle over the carbon tax, which will gradually boost prices at the pumps over the next four years starting July 1.
"I think it's important for us to recognize that people aren't pleased with what's going on with gas prices right now. Neither am I," Mr. Campbell said. But he said his government is taking a "sensible" approach to climate change, which he called the biggest challenge of his generation.
"I think it's totally disingenuous and close to being dishonest when we have the Opposition suggesting they are for a carbon tax, not this one," Mr. Campbell told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony at Government House. "The difference is, they want theirs hidden."
In the shuffle, Mr. Campbell elevated two backbenchers who have been outspoken about the unpopularity of the tax in rural B.C.
Blair Lekstrom, the new Minister for Community Services, and Bill Bennett, the new Minister of Tourism, Sports and the Arts, will now be constrained in their ability to speak publicly against government policy, but they also bring a voice to cabinet about the need to pay more attention to voters' antipathy toward the tax.
Mr. Lekstrom wore the broadest grin of the day.
The former mayor of Dawson Creek has waited seven years for a cabinet posting. However, he will also have to be more circumspect about the government's commitment to settling aboriginal treaties.
He voted against two treaties signed by the Liberals last year. As a member of cabinet, he'll have to vote in favour of any new ones.
The other major change is in Forestry. Rich Coleman, who had been the target of heated criticism as thousands of forestry jobs have been lost during his tenure as forests minister, was switched to Housing and Social Development, a new ministry.
Mr. Campbell said the change reflects the need for an "integrated service" model that deals with homelessness, addictions and mental health in the same ministry. Social development is one of the areas where pollsters have suggested the Liberals are most vulnerable.
The new Forests Minister, former agriculture minister Pat Bell, will face a tough re-election battle if there is no measurable progress in his portfolio.
In his own riding, towns such as Mackenzie have been virtually emptied of jobs.
Mr. Bell was cautious in projecting any kind of turnaround and would not promise any mills reopening in his riding before the next election.
"Mackenzie has one of the strongest fibre baskets in the province," he said.
"There's no question that the industry will thrive over time in Mackenzie, but we need to work through a very difficult time right now."
NDP Leader Carole James called Mr. Bell a poor choice for Forestry, but said it didn't matter. "In the end, it's the Premier's way, anyway."
Barring a scandal that forces another shuffle, this is regarded as the cabinet that will take the Liberals into the May, 2009 election. Mr. Campbell lost four cabinet ministers when he asked each member if they intended to run in that election, so he can replace retirees with backbenchers who need the higher profile.
Justine Hunter