B.C. Premier David Eby has announced several changes to cabinet after a prominent minister announced that she will be taking leave for cancer treatment and recovery.
The Province’s Minister of Finance, Brenda Bailey, has been diagnosed with early-stage treatable cancer.
Bailey will begin treatment in late August 2026 and is expected to return to work in early October 2026.
She will remain a member of cabinet.
Now, B.C. Minister of Health Josie Osborne will be slotting in as the finance minister.
In her place, Ravi Kahlon, the minister of jobs and previously the housing minister, will slot in as the minister of health. Once Bailey returns, she will be minister of jobs.
“Brenda came to me with her diagnosis and her plan, and I told her to take the time she needs,” Eby said in a release.
“She’ll be back at the cabinet table this fall. These changes give her room to focus on getting well and give British Columbians continuity on the issues that matter most to them.”
“Bailey returns to the ministry she led as minister of jobs, economic development and innovation, taking on the major projects and trade diversification files. Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions, will cover Bailey’s portfolio while she’s on leave,” the Office of the Premier states.
As Osborne switches over to finance, the Premier’s Office states that she’ll be bringing experience from working across four ministries “and a working knowledge of the fiscal plan from the Treasury Board table.”
“Kahlon takes on health after leading jobs and economic growth, including the Look West strategy and the Province’s response to U.S. trade action,” the Office said.
“Josie, Ravi and Brenda are three of the most experienced people around our table,” Eby said, adding, “Their focus will always be on delivering for British Columbians.”
The new appointments take effect today.