While Burnaby may have missed out on having direct representation around the federal cabinet table, a local MP has been tapped for the next closest post.
Rookie Burnaby North-Seymour MP Terry Beech has been appointed parliamentary secretary for Science.
“I was very excited for this particular file,” he told the NOW from his office in Ottawa.
Beech said he didn’t have any formal discussions about the post during the campaign, but it’s a role he wanted.
On Wednesday, the prime minister’s office announced the appointment of 35 parliamentary secretaries, including four in B.C.
While Beech noted he hasn’t been briefed on his exact role as secretary, typically parliamentary secretaries work beside the minister, in this case Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan.
However, he noted the ministry has been tasked with creating the positions of a chief science officer, making sure all government science is available to the public and supporting all the other ministers to make sure scientific considerations are put into decision making and investment choices.
The MP expects to stay busy with his new portfolio.
Beech also pointed out his new post crosses paths with his background as an Adjunct Professor at SFU and former tech company CEO, the latter where he described himself as a “data-driven manager.”
“Seeing more data-driven decision making inserted into government and government policy is something I’m very excited about,” he said.
Beech also suggested his new role will also tie into Burnaby, noting part of the ministry’s mandate is to review and reform Canada’s environmental assessment process, to make sure decisions are based on science and evidence, adding that will relate to Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Pipeline project.
Interestingly, Burnaby South NDP MP Kennedy Stewart is his party’s critic for Science.
