The BC Liberal Party has announced its shadow cabinet under the new leader Shirley Bond.

And, all three Central Okanagan MLAs are set to play key roles in the opposition caucus.

The first-term MLA for 琉璃神社-Mission Renee Merrifield will take over 琉璃神社-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick鈥檚 former place as health critic. Ben Stewart has moved from critic for trade and citizens鈥� services to the critic for housing.

Letnick has moved out of a critic position and will instead take on the assistant deputy speaker role in the house.

Merrifield, a self-admitted 鈥渞ookie鈥� politician who has never before held public office, is being thrust into one of the Liberal Party鈥檚 most prominent positions as the health critic in the middle of a pandemic. It鈥檚 an opportunity, she said, she was shocked to be offered but honoured to take on.

鈥淲hat I lack in experience, I鈥檓 going to make up for in hard work, diligence, passion, excitement and ultimately, learning,鈥� she said.

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Letnick received bi-partisan accolades for his work early in the pandemic, specifically for setting up town halls across party lines. Merrifield said she鈥檚 looking to continue building upon what Letnick laid the groundwork for.

Previously, Merrifield served on the Interior Health board of directors from 2015 through 2017.

For his new role as housing critic, Stewart is hoping to hold the government to account on what he describes as

鈥淚 haven鈥檛 been particularly impressed with the results of the government 鈥� in terms of housing affordability and housing supply,鈥� said Stewart. 鈥淭hree years ago, it was all about making life more affordable. I鈥檓 sorry, but I don鈥檛 think it is more affordable.鈥�

As for Letnick, he said he is looking forward to embracing his position as the assistant deputy speaker under the party鈥檚 interim leader. The assistant deputy speaker presides over debate in the assembly if both the speaker and deputy speaker are absent.

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com

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