B.C. Premier Christy Clark has named Richmond Steveston MLA John Yap to replace Harry Bloy as minister of state for multiculturalism.
Yap said his focus in his new role will be largely tied to the Liberals' Jobs Plan, specifically economic immigration.
Yap, who recently chaired a Clarkcreated task force to review how skilled immigrants and foreign investors come to B.C. and Canada, said that role helped him understand the role of multiculturalism in the B.C. economy and its communities.
In other cabinet changes announced Saturday, Clark named Richmond Centre MLA Rob Howard parliamentary secretary for transportation, with a focus on air services agreements.
Vancouver-Langara MLA Moira Stilwell was named parliamentary secretary to the minister of health, with a focus on health care innovation.
Bloy, MLA for Burnaby Lougheed, resigned from his post March 15 after he improperly leaked an email.
The Province newspaper reported that Bloy had forwarded to Eminata Group founder Peter Chung an email the paper had sent to the Ministry of Education while investigating Eminata, a private postsecondary education provider.
Bloy was the only Liberal MLA to back Clark in her leadership run last year.
NDP opposition caucus chair Shane Simpson said the appointments appear to be an effort to "keep her caucus and cabinet together" at a time when support for the B.C. Liberals is wavering.
