Premier David Eby unveiled a far weaker cabinet Monday than the one he carried into last election. But with some smart ministry re-organizations, and careful use of his remaining power players, the premier has crafted himself a fighting chance to get some of his priority items in motion.

Eby reiterated his “back to basics” vision for his new cabinet, focused on affordability, health care, public safety and the economy.

“They are not simple challenges,” he said. “And the commitment that I made on the stage of the speech today, as well here, is to do my best. Our team will do our best to bring all British Columbians along as we take on these serious challenges.”

First, the positives.

Eby is lucky to have strong frontbench ministers like Brenda Bailey and Josie Osborne, to put into the ministries of finance and health care respectively.

Bailey, a former Vancouver tech CEO who was previously jobs minister, said she’ll chart a plan back to a balanced budget, while also providing new cost-of-living help and executing the new $1,000 income tax rebate. This is a delicate, but critical, balance upon which the future of the NDP government hangs.

Osborne, who moves from energy, has to not only solve the ongoing health-care staffing crisis and ER closures, but also stickhandle involuntary care and new regional addictions treatment........

© BIV