Provincial Government Updates: New Non-Profit Secretary + Opposition Critics Announced

Niki Sharma.

Here are a few updates on the provincial government following the recent announcements of the new cabinet.

First, in our initial announcement of the new ministers and secretaries, we neglected to mention that Niki Sharma was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary of Community Development and Non-Profits. Sharma was elected MLA for Vancouver–Hastings in 2020. This is the first time charities and non-profits have a designated parliamentary secretary at a provincial level.

Sharma is a lawyer whose practice focused on representing Indigenous people, including residential school survivors. Sharma was elected to the Board of Vancity Credit Union in 2016, where she served both as board Vice-Chair and the Chair of the Climate Justice Working Group. She is also a past Chair of the Vancouver Parks Board, where she was co-chair of the environmental stewardship and education task force.

Teresa Wat.

Meanwhile, the BC Liberals have appointed Teresa Wat as the Opposition Critic for Tourism, Arts and Culture. Wat was elected MLA for Richmond-Centre in 2013. Wat was News Director at Channel M Television (now OMNI TV), News Editor of Ming Pao Daily News, and the President and CEO of Mainstream Broadcasting Corporation.

You can find a full list of Opposition Critics here.