As the local Liberal Party begin their search to replace the outgoing Rob Howard in Richmond Centre, his Steveston colleague, John Yap, has been handed a role in Premier Christy Clark's cabinet shuffle.
MLA Yap was named Wednesday as Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology, as well as Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism.
Yap was previously minister of state for Climate Action and as the chair of the government caucus.
"This new cabinet brings a renewed commitment to our priorities," Clark said in a press release.
Yap and fellow BC Liberal Linda Reid, of Richmond-East, have both declared their intention to run again next May.
Yap's appointment follows hot on the heels of Howard's announcement Tuesday that he won't be running for re-election in the spring, saying he wants to cross off bucketlist items with his wife.
His decision has caught many in the local political circles by surprise, with few having the chance to form any idea of who may fill Howard's seat, be they from a Liberal, NDP or Tory persuasion.
Howard Jampolsky - involved in politics for more than 25 years, who has previously sought the Conservative federal nomination and also unsuccessfully tried to win a seat on Richmond city council in 2008 - had no inclination of Howard's departure.
"I honestly can't think of anyone who has even expressed an interest (in running)," Jampolsky said.
"It's a relatively safe seat for the Liberals and the election is still a long way away, but I would imagine (the Liberal Party) will have to get something organized fairly quickly."
Jampolsky, who ruled himself out of running, said usually someone from a city council background would step up to stake a claim, but he couldn't think who that would be. Former city mayor, councillor and MLA Greg Halsey-Brandt, who stepped out of the political ring last fall, similarly can't see anyone from the current council giving up their municipal seat for what may be a seat in the Opposition in Victoria next year.
The Richmond office of the BC Liberal Party told the News it was waiting to hear from the riding president as to when a candidate selection meeting will be held.
